Scientists have identified a bizarre new belemnite—a squid relative—from fossils found in Wyoming. The creature lived in ancient seas roughly 160 million years ago, during the Jurassic period, and is now described as the "fattest" belemnite ever discovered.
The exceptionally rare fossils reveal a barrel-shaped body that sets it apart from all known members of its group. According to the report, the creature is unlike anything previously seen and may have been a predator in its marine environment.
Because only one source was available for this article, no independent comparisons could be made. The findings were reported by ScienceDaily, which noted that the fossils are exceptionally rare and offer a new glimpse into the diversity of Jurassic marine life.