Psiloceran
Psiloceran is an adjective used to describe a particular group of extinct cephalopods that belonged to the order Psiloceratida, which existed during the Mesozoic era, primarily in the Jurassic period. These marine mollusks were ancient relatives of the modern-day nautilus and ammonite.
The term "psiloceran" originates from the combination of two words: "psilo" meaning smooth, and "ceran" referring to the distinctive structure of their shells, known as a ceratitic suture pattern. These cephalopods typically possessed coiled, spiraled shells, with simple, smooth and curvilinear ridges. The smoothness of their outer surface distinguishes psilocerans from other closely related ammonites.
Psilocerans were widely distributed across various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. They inhabited shallow marine environments, living in warm, tropical waters. These cephalopods likely played an important ecological role within their marine ecosystems, serving as prey for larger marine animals while preying on small invertebrates themselves.
Due to their unique and intriguing features, psiloceran fossils have become objects of interest for paleontologists and collectors. By studying psilocerans, scientists can gather valuable insights into the ancient marine environments they lived in, as well as the evolution and diversity of cephalopods throughout Earth's history.
In summary, psiloceran refers to a group of extinct cephalopods belonging to the order Psiloceratida, which had smooth, coiled shells with distinctive ridges. These marine mollusks lived during the Mesozoic era, primarily in the Jurassic period, and were widely distributed across different regions
