Sporadoceratidae

Sporadoceratidae is a family of ammonites that existed during the Jurassic period. This family is part of the superfamily Stephanoceratoidea, which is known for its diverse and complex suture patterns. The Sporadoceratidae family is characterized by its moderately evolute shells and simple suture lines.

Taxonomy[edit | edit source]

The family Sporadoceratidae was first described by the paleontologist Alfred R. Loeblich Jr. and Helen Tappan in 1957. It is classified under the order Ammonitida, a group of extinct marine mollusk species.

Morphology[edit | edit source]

Members of the Sporadoceratidae family typically have moderately evolute shells, meaning the whorls of the shell are not tightly coiled but rather loosely wound. The shell is generally smooth or with weak ribbing. The suture lines are simple compared to other families in the Stephanoceratoidea superfamily.

Distribution[edit | edit source]

Fossils of Sporadoceratidae have been found in various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and North America. They are particularly common in the Jurassic deposits of Germany and France.

Extinction[edit | edit source]

Like all ammonites, the Sporadoceratidae family became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, likely due to the same catastrophic event that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.