'Peculiar' new species of Jurassic squid found in Wyoming
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.
A new species of Jurassic squid-like creature, named Wyoteuthis linsterorum, has been discovered in Wyoming, U.S. after researchers unearthed two rare fossils dating back approximately 160 million years. The species is classified as a type of belemnite, a cousin of modern-day squid and octopus. The unique trait of this newly discovered belemnite is its barrel-shaped skeleton, which is significantly thicker and wider than any other belemnite found to date.
This discovery was made by an international team of researchers from the U.S., U.K., and New Zealand, led by Dr. Dean Lomax from The University of Manchester. The fossils, originally discovered by Cliff Linster near Ten Sleep, Wyoming, were donated to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center in 2019. The name Wyoteuthis linsterorum honors Cliff Linster and his family, with "Wyoteuthis" translating to "a squid from Wyoming" and "linsterorum" honoring Linster and his family.
The discovery of this new species emphasizes that new fossils are still being uncovered, highlighting the ongoing contributions of individuals who collect and study invertebrate fossils.
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