Scientists in the Tyumen region have discovered the oldest ancestor of modern mollusks.

Photo: fripik.ru.

Geologists from Tyumen, in collaboration with their colleagues from the Ural region, have discovered a new species of fossil mollusks that lived during the late Eocene period, dating back approximately 38 to 40 million years. This finding pertains to the gastropod species Aporrais cornuta. A distinctive feature of the shells of this species is their spiral striation. The unique discovery has been named after Siberia – "sibirica".

The fossil was found in the Tyumen region. Research revealed that Aporrais cornuta had an oval body measuring two to three centimeters in length and two centimeters in width.

As the scientists noted, this ancient ancestor of modern mollusks has not yet been described by researchers and requires special attention. A part of the shell of this marine creature was discovered at the Kyshtyrlinsky quarry – a deposit of blue clay. It is located 40 kilometers from Tyumen, near the village of Vinzili.

Photo: Anton Maslennikov, VK.

– The clay extraction quarry in the Tyumen region is rich in malacofauna. During one of the initial trips, shells of the gastropod Aporrais cornuta were found. These finds date back to the late Eocene period and are approximately 38 to 40 million years old. Over time, these samples were shown to a specialist in the group. It turned out that this is a different species, a new one that has yet to be described, – said geologist Anton Maslennikov.

The scientists also discovered that the mollusks employed a method of solid component deposition similar to the operation of a 3D printer, which ancient mollusks used to create their protective shells.

Previously, there was an ancient sea in the Tyumen region, so traces of clawed fish and even remains of the oldest sharks can be found here.

The researchers determined that "sibirica" was herbivorous and, thanks to its flat shell, could easily move across the soft clayey ground. It is presumed that the little creature had a delicate pink hue. The study and description of this unique find were carried out by Tyumen scientists Yaroslav Trubin and Pavel Smirnov. A fragment of this ancient invertebrate was handed over to the Museum of the History of Science and Technology of the Tyumen Industrial University.

Earlier, we reported that paleontologists in the Tyumen region discovered teeth of a shark that lived in our area over 40 million years ago. The remains of a giant shark of the genus Cetorhinus maximus were found in Kyshtyrlinsky quarry. According to the scientist, the teeth of the giant shark in the Tyumen region are a significant surprise and quite a rare find.