The fossil recently found in Montana, USA, is approximately 330 million years old.
It is 80 million years older than previously thought to be the octopus' oldest relative.
- This finding means that the modern eight-armed octopuses have their own line of development that goes far back in time instead of originating from ten-armed octopuses as previously thought, says paleontologist Christan Skovsted.
The newly discovered species has been named Syllipsimopodi bideni after the 46th President of the United States Joe Biden.
- We named the fossil after Biden to celebrate the start of his presidency and because we were spurred on by his plans to pay attention to climate change and fund scientific research, says Christopher Whalen who is one of those who made the discovery.