Euhoplites

Euhoplites Temporal range: Albian[1] PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
E. subcrenatus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Cephalopoda
Subclass:	†Ammonoidea
Order:	†Ammonitida
Family:	†Hoplitidae
Subfamily:	†Hoplitinae
Genus:	†Euhoplites Spath, 1925
Type species
Euhoplites truncatus Spath, 1925
Species
E. loricatus Spath, 1925 E. lautus (J. Sowerby, 1821) E. ochetonotus (Seeley, 1865) E. subcrenatus Spath, 1925 E. alphalautus Spath, 1926 E. barroisi Amédro, 2013
Synonyms
Euhoplitoides Cooper & Owen, 2011 Proeuhoplites Cooper & Owen, 2011

Euhoplites is an extinct ammonoid cephalopod from the Lower Cretaceous, characterized by strongly ribbed, more or less evolute, compressed to inflated shells with flat or concave ribs, typically with a deep narrow groove running down the middle. In some, ribs seem to zigzag between umbilical tubercles and parallel ventrolateral clavi. In others the ribs are flexuous and curve forward from the umbilical shoulder and lap onto either side of the venter.

Fossils of this animal are commonly found in Lower Cretaceous, middle to upper Albian age strata.^[1]

Its shell was covered with lumps and bumps. The function of these adornments are unknown, although they may have been a source of hydrodynamic drag, preventing Euhoplites from swimming at high speeds. Studying them, therefore, may give some insight into the lifestyle of this ancient marine predator. Euhoplites was a small ammonite with shells of diameters of at most a few centimetres in diameter, depending on the age, species and possibly gender of the individual.