Scientists have discovered the “thickest” belemnite yet discovered in the fossil record – an ancient, squid-like creature that lived in the waters of what is now Wyoming about 160 million years ago.
Two extremely rare fossils from the Jurassic period have led researchers to discover a new species, Pennisetumaccording to a study published in the journal Papers in Paleontology.
The fossils were discovered in the upper part of Wyoming’s Sundance Formation, which formed in the ancient Sundance Sea.
According to Science Daily, their unusually thick barrel-shaped endoskeleton is about 60 millimeters in diameter, making it the “fattest” belemnite ever discovered.
The belemnite is an extinct marine animal related to modern squid and octopuses.
They are known for their unique bullet-shaped endoskeleton, which is often the only part of the animal preserved in the fossil record.
The groundbreaking fossil lectern discovered was about 4 inches long but up to 2.4 inches wide, giving it a striking barrel-shaped appearance that was very eye-catching to researchers.
Based on comparisons with other belemnites, researchers estimate that the animal itself may have reached nearly 2 feet in length.
Its unusually thick, barrel-shaped beak earned the prehistoric animal the nickname “dumpy,” although researchers caution that the fossil’s unusual proportions make its overall size difficult to determine.
Although belemnite fossils are relatively common, W. of Linster It’s remarkable because it belongs to a rare family that mostly disappeared millions of years ago.
Its discovery provides evidence that the group survived in a previously unknown refuge in the northeastern Pacific.
The fossil is not the entire body of the animal, but its internal “guard,” the fossilized butt of the tough, squid-like creature.
The discovery shows that even familiar fossil sites can still hold scientific surprises.
“Thick Belemnite” not only uncovered a previously unknown species, but also revealed that a rare branch of the belemnite family survived in the ancient Sundance Sea long after researchers thought the group had all but disappeared.