Phylloceras

Phylloceras Temporal range: Early Jurassic–Late Cretaceous[1] PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Artist's reconstruction
Fossil shell of Phylloceras species, part removed to reveal the sutures
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Cephalopoda
Subclass:	†Ammonoidea
Order:	†Ammonitida
Family:	†Phylloceratidae
Subfamily:	†
Genus:	†Phylloceras Suess 1865[2]
Species[2]
Phylloceras serum † Oppel 1865 † Hillebrandt 2000 † Imlay 1953 † Geyer 1886 † Sowerby 1833 † Catullo 1853 † Reynes 1868 † Sowerby 1820 † Gemmellaro 1874 † d'Orbigny 1842 † Pompeckj 1893 † Neumayr 1871 † Michelin 1834

Phylloceras is an extinct genus of ammonoid cephalopods belonging to the family Phylloceratidae. These nektonic carnivores lived from Early Jurassic (Hettangian age) to Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian age) (from 201.30 to 66.043 Ma).^[1][2]

Description[]

Shells of Phylloceras can reach a diameter of about 8–10 centimetres (3.1–3.9 in), with a maximum of about 20 centimetres (7.9 in). These primitive ammonites had an involute, laterally flattened shell with a regular shell opening. They were almost smooth and the ornamentation was virtually absent or, at most, represented by simple growth lines barely visible. The striking sinuous suture lines were characteristic of this genus. They are reminiscent, in some ways, of the leaves of plants (hence the name Phylloceras, which means " leaf-horn").

Distribution[]

Fossils of species within this genus have been found all over the world, particularly in Western Europe.^[2]

References[]

• Cyril Walker & David Ward (1993) - Fossielen: Sesam Natuur Handboeken, Bosch & Keuning, Baarn. ISBN 90-246-4924-2

This ammonite-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .

• v
• t