On July 7, 2025, Manitoba is set to make waves in the paleontological world with the unveiling of a remarkable new discovery at the University of Manitoba's Geological Sciences Museum.

Unveiling a Jurassic Relic

Renowned for its rich fossil heritage, including the stunning Ordovician-aged Tyndall Stone and the colossal mosasaurs from the Cretaceous period, Manitoba holds a treasure trove of ancient secrets waiting to be unearthed. Among these is the newly identified genus of placoderm fish, dubbed **Elmosteus lundarensis**.

Meet Elmosteus lundarensis: The Ancient Jawed Wonder

This ancient fish swam the waters of Manitoba almost 390 million years ago, representing a crucial link in understanding the evolution of jaws and teeth in vertebrates. Dr. Melina Jobbins, a postdoctoral fellow at the PaleoSed+ lab within the Department of Earth Sciences, has led the research that brings this fascinating creature into the limelight. The findings are detailed in the esteemed *Journal of Systematic Palaeontology*.

Fossil Discoveries: A Journey Through Time

The fossils of **Elmosteus lundarensis** showcase a unique structure: its head and thorax were covered in a robust bony armor, while the remainder of its skeleton resembled that of modern sharks, predominantly made of cartilage—a material that is often poorly preserved in the fossil record.

A Resounding Name with a History

The journey of recognizing **Elmosteus** began with a UM graduate student's initial description back in 1996. However, thanks to new discoveries and additional materials uncovered both in the Manitoba Museum's collections and field explorations, researchers have enhanced their understanding of this ancient inhabitant of Manitoba's waters. Elmosteus itself derives its name from the Elm Point Formation, the ancient rock layer where its fossils were unearthed.

As we celebrate this compelling discovery, **Elmosteus lundarensis** reminds us of the deep history that lies beneath our feet, waiting to tell the timeless story of life on Earth.