Tullimonstrum gregarium Richardson, 1966
Chordata
Craniata
Hyperorartia
Petromyzontiformes
Middle Pennsylvanian
Mazon Creek, Carbondale Fm [Westphalian D]
Illinois, US
Length: 30 cm
The state fossil of Illinois known as the "Tully Monster" remained an enigma for some 50 years until an extensive study of more than 1200 fossils show evidence of a notochord and other characteristics placing it firmly within the vertebrates, and more precisely among the petromyzontids (lampreys).
Ref: V. E. McCoy et al., (2016) Nature, published online
March 19, 2016
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