Hoplitoidea, formerly Hoplitaceae, is a superfamily of mostly Upper Cretaceous ammonites comprising families united by a similar suture pattern with multiple similar elements that tend to decrease in size going toward the umbilicus, at the inner edge of any whorl, and which are typically in a straight line. Sutural elements are commonly ammonitic, but in some saddles and in others both saddles and lobes are smooth and undivided. Shells are variable in form, both ribbed, evolute forms and smooth, involute forms are included.
[Arkell et al 1957. Mesozoic Ammonoidea; Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part L.]
Families regarded as part now include the
Engonoceratidae,
Hoplitidae,
Placenticeratidae, and
Schloenbachiidae. Some classifications
Hoplitaceae-Paleobio
/ref> however include the Forbesiceridae in place of the Engonoceratidae
The older version of the Treatise[ includes in addition to the five families already mentioned, the Pulchelliidae, Trochleiceratidae, Douvilleiceratidae, Deshayesitidae, and Leymeriellidae, which have since been reassigned.
]
References
Ammonitida superfamilies
Prehistoric animal superfamilies
Late Cretaceous first appearances
Late Cretaceous extinctions
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