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SM1x1 Cameroceras

Cameroceras

A cephalopod is any member of the molluscan class Cephalopoda (Greek plural κεφαλόποδα (kephalópoda); "head-feet"). These exclusively marine animals are characterized by bilateral body symmetry, a prominent head, and a set of arms or tentacles (muscular hydrostats) modified from the primitive molluscan foot. Fishermen sometimes call them inkfish, referring to their common ability to squirt ink. The study of cephalopods is a branch of malacology known as teuthology.

Facts[]


Cephalopods became dominant during the Ordovician period, represented by primitive nautiloids. The class now contains two, only distantly related, extant subclasses: Coleoidea, which includes octopuses, squid, and cuttlefish; and Nautiloidea, represented by Nautilus and Allonautilus. In the Coleoidea, the molluscan shell has been internalized or is absent, whereas in the Nautiloidea, the external shell remains. About 800 living species of cephalopods have been identified. Two important extinct taxa are the Ammonoidea (ammonites) and Belemnoidea (belemnites).

In Walking with... Series[]

Walking with Dinosaurs[]

Cruel Sea[]

This episode briefly featured a group of ammonites, distant cousins of the modern nautilus.

Ammonite p1

An ammonite.

An Ophthalmosaurus tried to eat one, but couldn't bite through its shell. (In the book it was identified as Perisphinctes).

Sea Monsters[]

Sea Monsters, Episode 1[]

This first half of this episode featured Cameroceras, the largest carnivore of the Ordovician period. It had no suckers, but ridges on its powerful tentacles with which it crushed its prey.

Walking with Monsters[]

Water Dwellers[]

Cameroceras appeared in a cameo in this episode (as an Orthocone).

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