Orthocycloceras

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

Orthocycloceras is an extinct genus of actively mobile carnivorous cephalopods, essentially a Nautiloid, that lived in what would be Europe during the Silurian to Devonian from 428.2 to 412.3 mya, existing for approximately 15.9 million years.[1]

Taxonomy

Orthocycloceras was assigned to Orthocerida 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.

Fossil distribution

Fossil distribution is exclusive to Sardinia and Austria.

References

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