Gymnites
| Gymnites | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Class: | Cephalopoda |
| Subclass: | Ammonoidea |
| Order: | Ceratitida |
| Superfamily: | Ceratitaceae |
| Family: | Gymnitidae |
| Genus: | Gymnites Mojsisovics, 1882 |
Gymnites is a genus of ammonoid cephalopod from the Middle Triassic belonging to the ceratitid family Gymnitidae.
Description [edit]
The shell of Gymnites is evolute, generally smooth, with a wide umbilicus. Whorls are moderately embracing, whorl section oval and somewhat compressed. The outer whorl may be costate or have rows of nodes, or both. The suture is ammonitic with a wide bifurcated ventral lobe and two lateral lobes on either side.
Taxonomic relation [edit]
Hyatt and Smith (1905, p. 115)included Gymnites in the Gymnitidae along with Ophiceras, Flemingites, and Xenaspis, genera since assigned elsewhere, and included the Gymnitidae in the suborder Ceratitoidea (now the superfamily Ceratitaceae). Smith (1932, p. 30) shows Gymenites derived from Xenaspis and giving rise to the Pinacoceratidae.
The American Treatise (Part L, 1957) also includes Gymnites in the Gymnitidae, along with mainly descendant forms such as Buddhaites, Japonites, and variations on Gymnites itself, but instead included the Gymnitidae in the Pinacocerataceae which is consistent with Smith's derivation of the Pinacoceratidae from Gymnites.
References [edit]
- Alpheus Hyatt and James Perrin Smith, 1905. The Triassic Cephalopod General of America. United States Geological Survey Professional Paper no. 40.
- James Perrin Smith, 1932. Lower Triassic Ammonoids of North America. U.S. Geological Survey PP 167.
- Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part L, Ammonoidea. Geol Soc. of America and Univ. Kansas Press, 1957. p. L184.
