Scientists have reclassified a 300-million-year-old fossil, previously considered the world’s oldest octopus, revealing it to be a relative of the nautilus instead. This new discovery, led by zoologist Thomas Clements from the University of Reading, stemmed from a long-standing debate about the fossil, Paulsepia mazonensis, which was found in Illinois.
Initially identified as an octopus in 2000, the fossil has sparked questions regarding its classification due to a significant time gap between it and the next oldest known octopus fossil, which is 90 million years old. Using advanced imaging techniques, researchers discovered ribbon-shaped teeth typical of nautiluses, indicating that the fossil had too many teeth to be an octopus.
The Guinness World Records will no longer list Paulsepia mazonensis as the oldest octopus, pending further evaluation of the evidence. The fossil is housed in the Field Museum of Chicago, where experts are excited about future research opportunities regarding ancient nautiluses. Clements encourages appreciation of the new findings, highlighting the significance of the nautilus classification.
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