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The fossil Vampyroteuthis infernalis (vampire squid) was recently discovered following a new analysis. These fossils have long disappeared and these animals have lurked various dark corners of the ocean for 30 million years ago.
From these findings it has been revealed that the vampire squid is still alive. Then also can survive in water even though it is poor in oxygen content.
That infernal Penemuan fosilium Vampyroteuthis
Quoting Live Science, a paleontologist at Charles University, Prague, Martin Kostak revealed that the squid may have undergone evolution. Adapting to low-oxygen water throughout Jurassic Park.
This can be revealed through a new analysis of these ancient animals as one of the evolution of marine animals, one of which is the vampire squid.
He also revealed that the ancestors of the vampire squid in modern times have lived in the ocean for 23-34 million years ago.
The findings of this Vampyroteuthis infernalis fossil reveal that these ancient animals could thrive in oceans with water conditions that lacked oxygen.
Of course this is different from other squid species. In general, they require shallower habitats for them to live across continents.
However, a number of these fossil ancestors survived, so researchers are not sure when these cephalopods evolved with their abilities.
“Life in such low and stable oxygen levels brings evolutionary luck, namely lower predation pressure and less competition,” wrote Martin Kostak.
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Long Lost and Rediscovered Fossils
Martin Kostak and colleagues discovered a long-lost fossil of Vampyroteuthis infernalis in the collection of the Hungarian Museum of Natural History in 2019 while searching for fossils of a cuttlefish ancestor.
The fossils they first discovered in 1942 by Miklos Kretzoi, a Hungarian paleontologist. He identifies as Vampyroteuthis infernalis which originated about 30 million years ago.
Then, he gave his discovery the name Necroteuthis hungarica. Then, the researchers, although at that time were of the opinion that what they found was the ancestor of cuttlefish.
Then, in 1956, there was a Hungarian revolution, there was a museum burning, at that time scientists estimate the fossil was destroyed. Then, being found again was a happy surprise.
“It was a great moment,” said Kostak when he found the Vampyroteuthis infernalis fossil again.
“To see something that had previously been suggested was definitely missing.”
Research with Scanning Electron Microscopy
Kostak and his colleagues studied the fossil findings by scanning electron microscopy and geochemical analysis.
Then, they first found out if the initial identification that acknowledged Kretzi was correct. Nothing else, regarding the fossil originating from a squid, it is not an ancestor of cuttlefish.
The internal shell of the animal (gladius) forms the backbone of its body 6 inches or 15 cm long. This provides a definite indication if the squid grows to a size of 13.7 inches or 34 cm including the length of the arm.
The fossil was only slightly larger than the modern Vampyroteuthis infernalis, measuring about 11 inches, or 28 cm, of its total body length.
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That infernal lives Vampyroteuthis
The sediments surrounding the Vampyroteuthis infernalis fossil show no trace of the microfossils that are often detected in the lower parts of the ocean.
This shows that Vampyroteuthis infernalis does not live in shallow waters like modern squid today.
The researchers also carried out their analysis of the level of variation in carbon in the sediment and found that the sediment was likely to come from areas that were low in oxygen content (anoxic).
Such conditions are characteristic of the very deep ocean floor. The presence of layers of rock in which fossils are stored are now being shown by researchers that squids may not be able to survive in shallower areas of the marine environment.
Because, in shallow oceans there are certain plankton that thrive in low-salt water and high nutrient conditions.
Such conditions are incapable of the modern vampire squid to live on. The discovery of the Vampyroteuthis infernalis fossil also revealed differences between species that lived at different times. (R10 / HR Online)
Publisher: Jujang
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