BELEMNITE Meaning and
Definition
-
A belemnite is a fossilized marine cephalopod mollusk belonging to the order Belemnitida. These ancient creatures thrived primarily during the Mesozoic era, from the Triassic to the Cretaceous periods, dating back approximately 240 to 65 million years ago. They are characterized by their elongated, bullet-shaped shells, resembling modern-day squids or cuttlefish. The name belemnite is derived from the Greek word "belemnon," which means dart or missile, reflecting the slim, dart-like appearance of their fossilized remains.
Generally, the fossilized remains of belemnites that are found are their heavy internal shells known as rostra. These rostra were composed of a mineral called calcite and were typically elongated and conical in shape. A belemnite's rostrum was divided into several chambers, with the rear chamber containing a complex internal structure called the pro-ostracum.
Belemnites were part of a diverse and abundant group of marine animals known as the cephalopods, which also included ammonites and squids. These mollusks had a soft body and possessed a muscular mantle used for locomotion. They had a head that housed their sensory organs, including well-developed eyes, and a pair of tentacles with hooks used for capturing prey.
Belemnites were historically widely distributed across the world's oceans, and their fossils can be found in various sedimentary rock formations. The study of belemnites is crucial in understanding the evolution and paleoecology of ancient marine ecosystems, aiding in reconstructing the past and providing valuable insights into the Earth's geological history.
-
A fossil abundant in chalk and limestone, apparently the internal bone or shell of extinct naked cephalopods, allied to the existing squid and cuttlefish-commonly called arrow-head or finger-stone, also thunderbolt or thunder-stone.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for BELEMNITE
- velemnite
- nelemnite
- helemnite
- gelemnite
- bwlemnite
- bslemnite
- bdlemnite
- brlemnite
- b4lemnite
- b3lemnite
- bekemnite
- bepemnite
- beoemnite
- belwmnite
- belsmnite
- beldmnite
- belrmnite
- bel4mnite
- bel3mnite
- beleinite
Etymology of BELEMNITE
The word "belemnite" comes from the combination of two Greek words. The first is "bēlemnon", which means "dart" or "javelin". The second is "-ite", a suffix used to indicate a mineral or fossil. The term "belemnite" was coined in the early 19th century to describe a bullet-shaped fossil that resembles a dart or a javelin. Belemnites were the internal shells of extinct marine cephalopods known as belemnoids.
Similar spelling words for BELEMNITE
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
