United Kingdom: A 300-million-year-old fossil previously identified as the oldest known octopus has been reclassified following new analysis which found it to be a different marine animal.
Researchers said the specimen, known as Pohlsepia mazonensis, had been misidentified due to changes during decomposition that caused it to resemble an octopus.
Using synchrotron imaging, scientists detected internal structures, including small tooth-like features, that led to its reassignment to a group related to modern Nautilus.
The findings, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B on Wednesday (Apr 8), resolve a long-standing question regarding octopus evolution and remove the fossil’s status as the oldest octopus.
Lead author Thomas Clements said modern imaging revealed previously unseen details within the rock, providing the earliest known example of preserved soft tissue from a nautiloid.
