Phrikoceros
Phrikoceros is a genus of extinct cephalopods belonging to the order Ammonoidea. These creatures were marine animals that lived during the Middle Jurassic period, roughly 165 to 175 million years ago. The genus is characterized by its distinctive coiled shell, which is commonly referred to as an ammonite.
Common Names
There are no common names for the genus Phrikoceros. However, members of the order Ammonoidea are often referred to as ammonites.
Characteristics
Phrikoceros ammonites possessed a distinctive coiled shell with a wide umbilicus, the central opening in the whorl of the shell. The shell surface featured complex ornamentation, often consisting of ribs and tubercles. The genus is further distinguished by its unique suture lines, which are the intricate patterns formed by the internal chambers of the shell. These suture lines are highly characteristic and aid in the classification of Phrikoceros species.
Environment
Phrikoceros ammonites inhabited marine environments during the Middle Jurassic period. They likely thrived in shallow, warm waters, potentially along the edges of continental shelves. Their presence indicates that these environments supported diverse marine life, including other cephalopods, fish, and marine reptiles.