Aulacosphinctes is an extinct genus of ammonoid cephalopod that lived during the Late Jurassic and had a widespread distribution.

Aulacosphinctes
Temporal range: Tithonian[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Cephalopoda
Subclass: Ammonoidea
Order: Ammonitida
Family: Himalayitidae
Genus: Aulacosphinctes
Uhlig, 1910
Species[2]
  • Aulacosphinctes proximus

The shell is compressed, covered by strong, distinct, widely bifurcating ribs, some simple, none with tubercles; the venter marked by a deep and persistent groove; lappets rather long. Based on the style of ribbing Aulacosphinctes is included in the Himalayitinae, but could be placed in the Beriasellinae. Aulacosphinctes has been found in the Upper Jurassic (Tithonian) sediments in Algeria, east Africa, India, South America, and possibly California.

Related genera include Hemisphincites, Dickersonia, Durangites, and Himalyites.

References

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  1. ^ Sepkoski, Jack (2002). "A compendium of fossil marine animal genera (Cephalopoda entry)". Bulletins of American Paleontology. 363: 1–560. Archived from the original on 2016-02-25. Retrieved 2017-10-18.
  2. ^ "Paleobiology Database - Aulacosphinctes". Retrieved 2017-10-19.

Bibliography

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  • Arkell, W.J.; Kummel, B.; Wright, C.W. (1957). Mesozoic Ammonoidea. Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part L, Mollusca 4. Lawrence, Kansas: Geological Society of America and University of Kansas Press.