Myxinikela siroka Bardack, 1991
Chordata
Myxini
Myxina
Myxinomorphi
Myxiniformes
Late Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian)
Mazon Creek, Francis Creek Shale Mbr (Wesphalian)
Illinois, US
Length: 7 cm
This is one of the three known species of fossil hagfishes known to date. Dating from the Pennsylvanian (330 MYA), Myxinela is equipped with tentacles like modern forms but was much stouter and shorter and had larger eyes. The fossil represents possibly a juvenile specimen.
September 15, 2015
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