Study Reveals Squids Emerged and Diversified 100 Million Years Ago

Quick Summary

• paleontologists utilized a digital fossil-mining technique to analyze over 250 fossilized squid beaks from 40 ancient species,dating back to the Cretaceous period.
• Findings show squids originated around 100 million years ago-earlier than previously believed-adn rapidly diversified into major groups like Oegopsida and Myopsida.
• Early squids were abundant in size and number, surpassing coexisting ammonites and bony fishes in the Late Cretaceous seas.
• Squid evolution featured distinct anatomical traits disappearing later while modern-like forms emerged early among Myopsids.
• Results challenge past theories that squids expanded post-end-Cretaceous mass extinction, rather highlighting their dominance as smart, fast swimmers shaping marine ecosystems earlier than previously thought.

Image Caption: Lithograph of Loligo forbesii, a squid species from the order Myopsida.Image credit: Comingio Merculiano.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The study contributes significant insights into marine evolutionary history by uncovering an extended and previously obscured fossil record of squid origins. Leveraging innovative technologies like digital fossil-mining enhances scientific understanding about biodiversity shifts during Earth’s deep past. For India, such advancements could inspire greater adoption of high-resolution scanning technologies for studying domestic paleontological sites. Considering India’s vast geological diversity, similar techniques might uncover critical data on extinct marine or terrestrial species prevalent in its own prehistoric ecosystems.

Moreover,the ecological dominance demonstrated by ancient squids underlines the impact of evolutionary intelligence on survival-a potential avenue for further research relevant to modern biodiversity conservation strategies globally.While indirectly connected to India’s priorities in oceanic resource management or environmental preservation efforts, studies like this open pathways for interdisciplinary collaborations between Indian scientists and international researchers.Read More