The world’s “oldest octopus” was never an octopus

A fossil long celebrated as the world's oldest octopus has been definitively reclassified after advanced imaging exposed hidden dental structures, revealing it as a relative of the nautilus. | Contesto: cronaca

Punti chiave

• The world’s “oldest octopus” was never an octopus

Contesto

A celebrated fossil, once hailed as the world's oldest octopus, has been exposed as a profound case of mistaken identity. This revelation comes from advanced imaging techniques that peered into the ancient stone. The scans uncovered critical anatomical details previously hidden from view, fundamentally altering the fossil's story. The key evidence was the discovery of concealed teeth within the fossilized remains. These dental structures clearly show the creature's true lineage, linking it not to soft-bodied octopuses but to the nautilus. This group is known for its hard, coiled shell, representing a very different branch of the cephalopod family tree. The original misidentification stemmed from a natural process of decay that occurred before fossilization. As the animal decomposed, its shape distorted significantly, obscuring its true form and leading paleontologists down the wrong evolutionary path for years. Consequently, this correction forces a significant rewrite of a chapter in evolutionary history. The true origin of octopuses is now pushed much later in geological time, reshaping our understanding of when these complex, intelligent invertebrates first emerged in the ancient oceans.

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Categoria: cronaca