Tully monster mystery SOLVED!

How is it that a Museum can have 1,200+ fossils of a particular species in its collection since the 1960's... and not even know what it is? For decades, it was thought the 'Tully monster' -- a bizarre animal that lived 307 million years ago -- was an invertebrate, like a kind of worm. But in March, Field Museum scientists helped finally crack the mystery of the monster, to reveal it's actually related to lamprey fish. BOOM.
"The 'Tully monster' is a vertebrate," Nature, 16 March 2016. See the abstract here:
For even more detailed information on the history of the Tully monster and other Mazon Creek fossils, watch 'Tully: Monster vs Method'
Want to know more about the Tully monster, and other specimens from this collection? Check them out on our website:
Fossil Invertebrates:
Paleobotany:
Big thanks to Scott Lidgard and Paul Mayer for entertaining one more interview about the Tully monster!
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Producer, Writer, Creator, Host:
Emily Graslie
Director, Editor, Graphics, Sound:
Brandon Brungard
Editor, Camera:
Sheheryar Ahsan
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This episode is supported by and filmed on location at:
The Field Museum in Chicago, IL
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This episode of The Brain Scoop was made possible by The Harris Family Foundation, with additional support from the Lauer Foundation for Paleontology, Science and Education NFP.
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