'Peculiar' new species of Jurassic squid found in Wyoming
Paleontologists have identified a new species of Jurassic belemnite named Wyoteuthis linsterorum in Wyoming. This ancient cephalopod is notable for its unusually thick, barrel-shaped skeleton, distinguishing it from other common fossils.
Why it matters
Contributes to the scientific understanding of prehistoric marine life and the biodiversity of the ancient Sundance Formation.
edited by Sadie Harley , reviewed by Robert Egan
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add as preferred source Illustration of Wyoteuthis linsterorum by Jason Poole. Credit: Jessica Lippincott A "peculiar" new species of Jurassic squid-like animal has been unearthed in Wyoming, U.S., following the discovery of two exceptionally rare fossils dating to around 160 million years ago.
The newly named species, Wyoteuthis linsterorum, has been identified as a type of ancient cephalopod called a belemnite, a cousin of modern squid and octopus. Its unusually thick, barrel-shaped skeleton makes it the "chunkiest" or "fattest" belemnite ever discovered.
An international team of researchers from the U.S., U.K. and New Zealand, including Dr. Dean Lomax, honorary research fellow at The University of Manchester, described the discovery in the journal Papers in Palaeontology .
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in