Leurocycloceras is an extinct genus of actively mobile carnivorous cephalopod, essentially a Nautiloid, that lived in what would be North America, Europe, and Asia during the Silurian from 443.7—418.7 mya, existing for approximately 25 million years.[1]
Leurocycloceras Temporal range: Silurian
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Genus: | Leurocycloceras
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Taxonomy
editLeurocycloceras was assigned to Orthocerida by Sepkoski (2002).[2]
Morphology
editThe 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
editFossil distribution is exclusive to Great Britain, Wisconsin USA, and northern Ontario, Canada.
References
edit- ^ PaleoBiology Database: Leurocycloceras, basic info
- ^ J. J. Sepkoski. 2002. A compendium of fossil marine animal genera. Bulletins of American Paleontology 363:1-560