‘Alien goldfish’ may have been unique mollusc, say scientists

The ‘alien goldfish’ finds a home

Scientists weren’t sure whether the animal, which had a substantial tail fin and a gut often packed with remains of early fish species, was more closely related to a worm, a jawless fish or something else.

‘Alien Goldfish’ May Have Been Unique Mollusc, Say Scientists

Researchers think they may have solved enduring mystery of where Typhloesus wellsi sits on tree of life.

New clue found in 'alien goldfish' suggests it may have been a mollusk

A pair of researchers, one with the University of Cambridge, the other the Royal Ontario Museum, has found a clue that might help place Typhloesus wellsi, nicknamed the "alien goldfish," on the tree of life. In their paper published in the journal Biology Letters, Simon Conway Morris and Jean-Bernard Caron, describe their study of several samples of a 330-million-year-old fossil and what they discovered about the mysterious ancient sea creature.

‘Alien goldfish’ may have been unique mollusc, say scientists

Researchers think they may have solved enduring mystery of where Typhloesus wellsi sits on tree of life