Echioceratidae Explained

Echioceratidae is an extinct family of ammonites that lived during Sinemurian stage of Early Jurassic.

Description

Ammonites belonging to this family are characterised by serpenticone shells with a keel, which can be surrounded by grooves if a species is densely ribbed and compressed. The whorl section is either circular or has flat sides. Ribs are simple and strong with the exception of Leptechioceras which instead possessed a strongly compressed, smooth outer whorl. The initial ontogenical stage of these ammonites is typically smooth but very short. Tubercules are represented in a few genera within this group. [1]

Genera and subgenera

Following genera are members of this family:[1]

Distribution

Fossils of species within this family have been found in the Jurassic rocks of north Africa, South and North America, Europe and Asia.[2] [1]

Notes and References

  1. M. K. Howarth 2013. Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part L, Revised, Volume 3B, Chapter 4: Psiloceratoidea, Eoderoceratoidea, Hildoceratoidea.
  2. http://www.fossilworks.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?action=home The Paleobiology Database