Cryptocycloceras

Cryptocycloceras
Temporal range: Silurian
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Cephalopoda
Subclass:
Orthoceratoidea
Order:
Orthocerida
Genus:
Cryptocycloceras

Cryptocycloceras is an extinct genus of actively mobile carnivorous cephalopod that lived in what would be Europe during the Silurian from 422.9—418.7 mya, existing for approximately 4.2 million years.[1]

Taxonomy

Cryptocycloceras It was assigned to Orthocerida by Sepkoski (2002).[2]

Morphology

The shell is usually long, and may be straight ("orthoconic") or gently curved. In life, these animals may have been similar to the modern squid, except for the long shell.

References

  1. ^ PaleoBiology Database: Cryptocycloceras, basic info
  2. ^ J. J. Sepkoski. 2002. A compendium of fossil marine animal genera. Bulletins of American Paleontology 363:1-560