Prolecanitaceae
Encyclopedia
Prolecanitaceae is a taxonomic superfamily of ammonite
s, fossil cephalopod
s. This is one of two superfamilies in the Prolecanitida. The other is the Medlicottiaceae
.
The Prolecanitiaceae are found in the Upper Devonian
to the Middle Permian
and are recognized basically by their generally smooth discoidal to lentincular shells
which have a large umbilicus and goniatitic to ceratitic sutures. In this order, suture complexity developed by the addition of lobes from the umbilical area, across the flanks, during the life (ontogeny) of the animal, and phylogenetically with succeeding genera.
The Prolecanitaceae combines two related families, the ancestral Prolecanitidae and the derived Daraelitidae. A third family, the Prodromitidae has been abandoned and its sole genus, Prodromites included in the Prolecanitidae. These two families differ primarily in the complexity of th suture which is simpler and goniatitic in the Prodromitidae and more complex and ceratitic in the Daraelitidae. The Prolecanitaceae are distinguished from the Medlicottiacea primarily by their rounded rather than flat or grooved vente and large as opposed to small umbilici.
The Prolecanitaceae are now known by the name, Prolecanitoidea, following the recent ruling of the ICZN
regarding superfamilies. The suffix -oidea was previously used for some time in invertebrate taxononies as the ending for subclasses, e.g. Ammonoidea. The Prolecanitaceae are also sometimes known as the suborder Prolecanitina.
Ammonite
Ammonite, as a zoological or paleontological term, refers to any member of the Ammonoidea an extinct subclass within the Molluscan class Cephalopoda which are more closely related to living coleoids Ammonite, as a zoological or paleontological term, refers to any member of the Ammonoidea an extinct...
s, fossil cephalopod
Cephalopod
A cephalopod is any member of the molluscan class Cephalopoda . These exclusively marine animals are characterized by bilateral body symmetry, a prominent head, and a set of arms or tentacles modified from the primitive molluscan foot...
s. This is one of two superfamilies in the Prolecanitida. The other is the Medlicottiaceae
Medlicottiaceae
The Medlicottiaceae is the second of the two superfamilies that make up the Prolecanitida, the first being the Prolecanitaceae.The Medlicottiaceae are recognized by their discoidal to thinly lenticular, and involute shells with small umbilici; flat, often grooved venters, and variably complex sutures...
.
The Prolecanitiaceae are found in the Upper Devonian
Devonian
The Devonian is a geologic period and system of the Paleozoic Era spanning from the end of the Silurian Period, about 416.0 ± 2.8 Mya , to the beginning of the Carboniferous Period, about 359.2 ± 2.5 Mya...
to the Middle Permian
Permian
The PermianThe term "Permian" was introduced into geology in 1841 by Sir Sir R. I. Murchison, president of the Geological Society of London, who identified typical strata in extensive Russian explorations undertaken with Edouard de Verneuil; Murchison asserted in 1841 that he named his "Permian...
and are recognized basically by their generally smooth discoidal to lentincular shells
Mollusc shell
The mollusc shell is typically a calcareous exoskeleton which encloses, supports and protects the soft parts of an animal in the phylum Mollusca, which includes snails, clams, tusk shells, and several other classes...
which have a large umbilicus and goniatitic to ceratitic sutures. In this order, suture complexity developed by the addition of lobes from the umbilical area, across the flanks, during the life (ontogeny) of the animal, and phylogenetically with succeeding genera.
The Prolecanitaceae combines two related families, the ancestral Prolecanitidae and the derived Daraelitidae. A third family, the Prodromitidae has been abandoned and its sole genus, Prodromites included in the Prolecanitidae. These two families differ primarily in the complexity of th suture which is simpler and goniatitic in the Prodromitidae and more complex and ceratitic in the Daraelitidae. The Prolecanitaceae are distinguished from the Medlicottiacea primarily by their rounded rather than flat or grooved vente and large as opposed to small umbilici.
The Prolecanitaceae are now known by the name, Prolecanitoidea, following the recent ruling of the ICZN
International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature is an organization dedicated to "achieving stability and sense in the scientific naming of animals". Founded in 1895, it currently comprises 28 members from 20 countries, mainly practicing zoological taxonomists...
regarding superfamilies. The suffix -oidea was previously used for some time in invertebrate taxononies as the ending for subclasses, e.g. Ammonoidea. The Prolecanitaceae are also sometimes known as the suborder Prolecanitina.