BOSTRYCHOCERAS Meaning and
Definition
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Bostrychoceras is a genus of extinct cephalopods, specifically ammonoids, that lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 156 to 146 million years ago. It belongs to the family Aulacostephanidae within the order Ammonitida. The name "bostrychoceras" is derived from the Greek words "bóstryx," which means "bulge" or "knot," and "kéras," which means "horn," referring to the characteristic shape of the shell.
The shell of bostrychoceras is characterized by its large size, coiled shape, and distinctive ornamentation. It comprises a series of chambers, each formed as the cephalopod grows and moves its body forward while secreting a new compartment behind it. The outer surface of the shell is marked by prominent ribs or ridges that run longitudinally, often intersected by transverse ribs or tubercles, giving it a knobby appearance. The final chamber, or body chamber, is typically flattened and houses the soft parts of the animal.
Bostrychoceras, like other ammonoids, were marine organisms and would have inhabited shallow seas, where they likely swam and fed on small organisms. They were part of a diverse and abundant group of animals during the Jurassic, with various species found across different regions of the world. Fossil specimens of bostrychoceras have been discovered in Europe, particularly in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, providing valuable insights into the evolutionary history and paleobiology of these fascinating creatures.
Etymology of BOSTRYCHOCERAS
The word "bostrychoceras" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "bostrychos" meaning "club" or "knob", and "keras" meaning "horn". In paleontology, "bostrychoceras" refers to an extinct genus of cephalopods, which were a group of marine mollusks commonly known as ammonites. The name "bostrychoceras" was given to this genus because of the presence of distinctive knob-like structures on the shell resembling a club or horn.
