Scientists say they have discovered the oldest known ancestor of octopuses: an approximately 330 million-year-old fossil unearthed in Montana.
The Associated Press
The researchers concluded the ancient creature lived millions of years earlier than previously believed, meaning that octopuses originated before the era of dinosaurs. “It's very rare to find soft tissue fossils, except in a few places,” said Mike Vecchione, a Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History zoologist who was not involved in the study. “This is a very exciting finding. It pushes back the ancestry much farther than previously known."
For decades, the fossil sat overlooked in a drawer while scientists studied fossil sharks and other finds from the site. But then paleontologists noticed the 10 tiny limbs encased in limestone.
Norge Siste Nytt, Norge Overskrifter
Similar News:Du kan også lese nyheter som ligner på denne som vi har samlet inn fra andre nyhetskilder.
Scientists discover 330 million year old fossil of octopus relativeThe researchers concluded the ancient creature lived millions of years earlier than previously believed, meaning that octopuses originated before the era of dinosaurs.
Les mer »
Scientists discover 330 million year old fossil of octopus relativeThe researchers concluded the ancient creature lived millions of years earlier than previously believed, meaning that octopuses originated before the era of dinosaurs.
Les mer »
Ancient 'Vampire' Cephalopod From 330 Million Years Ago Is a First of Its KindAn exceptional fossil unearthed in Montana has given us the earliest known ancestor of vampire squids and octopuses.
Les mer »
Octopus ancestors lived before era of dinosaurs, study showsScientists have found the oldest known ancestor of octopuses – an approximately 330 million-year-old fossil unearthed in Montana.
Les mer »
Octopus ancestors lived before era of dinosaurs, study showsScientists have described the oldest known fossil ancestor of octopuses — an approximately 330 million-year-old specimen found in Montana.
Les mer »
Scientists discover 330 million year old fossil of octopus relativeThe researchers concluded the ancient creature lived millions of years earlier than previously believed, meaning that octopuses originated before the era of dinosaurs.
Les mer »