CRIOCERATITE Meaning and
Definition
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Crioceratite is a term commonly used in paleontology to refer to a group of extinct marine mollusks belonging to the suborder Ammonoidea. These creatures lived during the Mesozoic Era, particularly in the Triassic and Jurassic periods. Crioceratites were cephalopods characterized by their spiral-shaped shells, which were typically coiled and adorned with distinctive ridges or grooves.
The word "crioceratite" is derived from the Greek words "krios," meaning ram, and "keras," meaning horn, denoting the horn-like appearance of the shell. These ammonites were relatively small in size, ranging from a few centimeters to several decimeters in diameter. They possessed complex suture lines on their shells, which were intricate patterns formed at the junctions between different sections of the shell. These suture lines are a crucial characteristic for classifying and distinguishing various species of crioceratites.
Crioceratites were fast-swimming creatures, propelled through the water by jet propulsion, much like their living relatives, the squid and nautilus. They had well-developed eyes and arms equipped with tentacles, allowing them to catch prey, which primarily consisted of small marine organisms like fish and crustaceans. Fossilized remnants of crioceratites have been found in various regions around the world, including Europe, Canada, and the United States. These fossils provide valuable insights into the evolution and ecology of ancient marine ecosystems, contributing to our understanding of Earth's history and the diversity of life that once inhabited our oceans.
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In geol., a genus, of the ammonite family, so named from its shape.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for CRIOCERATITE
- xrioceratite
- vrioceratite
- frioceratite
- drioceratite
- ceioceratite
- cdioceratite
- cfioceratite
- ctioceratite
- c5ioceratite
- c4ioceratite
- cruoceratite
- crjoceratite
- crkoceratite
- crooceratite
- cr9oceratite
- cr8oceratite
- criiceratite
- crikceratite
- crilceratite
- cripceratite
Etymology of CRIOCERATITE
The word "crioceratite" is derived from the combination of two root words: "crio-" and "ceratite".
The term "crio-" comes from the Greek word "krios" (κρίος), which means "ram" or "lamb". In scientific terminology, "crio-" is often used to refer to cold or freezing temperatures.
The second root word, "ceratite", is derived from the Greek word "keras" (κέρας), which means "horn". In paleontology, "ceratite" is used to describe an extinct subclass of ammonites, which were a type of marine mollusk with spiral shells.
Therefore, combining these two roots gives us "crioceratite", which can be understood to mean "cold-horn mollusk" or "freezing ram ammonite".
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