Goniatites

/ɡoʊniˈætaɪtiz/ noun

Definition

Plural of goniatite; a group of extinct marine cephalopods with chambered shells and distinctive angular suture lines.

Etymology

The plural form of goniatite, used when discussing multiple specimens or the entire fossil group. Goniatites are found in rocks from the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras.

Kelly Says

Goniatites went extinct 252 million years ago in the worst mass extinction ever (the Great Dying), making them valuable index fossils for dating ancient rocks!

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