Rhynchorthoceras Temporal range: MOrdovician |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Cephalopoda |
Subclass: | Nautiloidea |
Order: | Tarphycerida |
Family: | Lituitidae |
Genus: | Rhynchorthoceras |
Rhynchorthoceras is a Middle Ordovician genus characterized by a rapidly expanded, weakly annulate orthocone, like the orthoconic section of Ancistroceras, but with only a curved, cyrtoconic apex instead of juvenile whorls.
Rhynchorthoceras is probably derived from Ancistroceras by a loss of the tarphycerid type apex, although it has been included with the orthocerid Sinoceratidae.