A New Jurassic Cephalopod Emerges from the Rocks
Paleontologists have announced the discovery of a previously unknown belemnite species that roamed the seas of what is now Wyoming some 160 million years ago, during the Middle Jurassic. Named Wyoteuthis linsterorum, this creature belongs to the same broader group as modern squids and octopuses, yet it boasts a set of characteristics that set it apart from every other fossilized belemnite known to science.
Discovery and Naming
The first specimen was uncovered in the late 1990s near Thermopolis by Burkhard Pohl, founder of the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. It sat in the museum’s collection for decades, largely unnoticed, until a second, strikingly similar fossil was donated by amateur collector Cliff Linster in 2019. The dual finds prompted Bill Wahl and an international team of researchers to investigate further. Using high‑resolution CT and micro‑CT scanning, they examined the internal architecture without damaging the delicate material.
The genus name Wyoteuthis translates roughly to “squid from Wyoming,” while the species epithet linsterorum honors the Linster family for their contribution.
Unusual Morphology: The Thickest Rostrum Ever Recorded
Belemnites are typically recognized by their bullet‑shaped, hard rostra—often nicknamed “squid butt” by fossil hunters. Most Jurassic specimens from the Sundance Formation measure 5–10 cm in length and only 1–2 cm in width. In contrast, Wyoteuthis linsterorum possesses a short, robust rostrum whose front‑to‑front diameter reaches 6–7 cm, making it the broadest rostrum documented among its relatives.
Despite this massive headpiece, the animal itself was not gigantic. Researchers estimate that, with its tentacles extended, the living individual would have measured roughly 55–60 cm from tip to tip, comparable in size to a modern cuttlefish.
Ecological Implications and Survival of an Ancient Lineage
The new species falls within the family Megateuthididae, a group that flourished in the Early to Middle Jurassic but was thought to have vanished long before the Late Jurassic. The presence of Wyoteuthis in Wyoming indicates that at least one branch of this lineage persisted in North America for several additional million years, extending its temporal range far beyond previous expectations.
Why the rostrum grew so thick remains a mystery. Some scientists speculate that the enlarged structure may have provided a hydrodynamic advantage when hunting smaller belemnites sharing the same habitat, or perhaps it served as a defensive shield against predators. Further research into the micro‑grooves and internal cavities of the fossil may eventually reveal clues about its feeding strategy and lifestyle.
Future Directions
The discovery underscores the value of revisiting museum collections and collaborating with dedicated amateur fossil hunters. As more specimens are unearthed and examined with cutting‑edge imaging technology, paleontologists hope to reconstruct a more nuanced picture of Jurassic marine ecosystems and the evolutionary experiments that occurred within them.
Source: https://scientias.nl/deze-vreemde-inktvis-leefde-160-miljoen-jaar-geleden-in-wyoming/#respond
