Ancient squid-like creature found to have lifespan of 200 years
An ancient squid-like creature with a shell shaped like a paper clip had a lifespan of hundreds of years, new research has found.
The animal, Diplomoceras maximum (D. maximum), lived about 68 million years ago, and grew to reach 1.5 metres in length.
While the shape and length of the animal was known to scientists, researchers from Syracuse University have found indicators the ocean dweller could have lived for up to 200 years.
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An artist's impression of Diplomoceras maximum. James McKay
Professor Linda Ivany and fellow scientist Emily Artruc looked at oxygen and carbon isoptopes found in a section of the animal's shell.
The scientists discovered a repeating pattern in isotopic signatures which they believed correlated with methane released from the sea-bed.
They concluded D. maximum added one new rib or ridge to it's shell each year.
"It's hard not to be entranced," Professor Ivany told New Scientist.
"It's as tall as I am."
"These shells grow by accretion, adding a new increment annually.
The pair presented their paper last week at an online meeting of the Geological Society of America.
The creature was an ammonite, a sub-group of extinct cephalopods.
In modern times cephalopods includes mollusks such as squid, octopus, cuttlefish, or nautilus.
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