| Beyrichoceras Temporal range: L Carb (M Miss) |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Cephalopoda |
| Subclass: | Ammonoidea |
| Order: | Goniatitida |
| Suborder: | Goniatitina |
| Superfamily: | Pericyclaceae |
| Family: | Maxigoniatitidae |
| Genus: | Beyrichoceras Foord 1903 |
Beyrichoceras is a genus belonging to the Goniatitid family, Maxigoniatitidae [1]that lived during the Mississippian Period (Early Carboniferous)
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Beyrichoceras can be recognized by its small, thickly discoidal shell with small umbilicus, deep dorsal impression, arched flanks and rounded venter [2] The ventral lobe of the suture is bifurcated, wide at its base, narrowing adapically, ending in a pair of outwardly turned prongs separated by a low median saddle. The first lateral lobe is similar in size to the ventral lobe; broad, V-shaped, and more or less symmetrical. The umbilical lobe, like the first lateral lobe, is broad, V-shaped, and fairly symmetrical, only much shallower. The dorsal lobe is long and narrow, closely flanked by narrow internal lobes.
Beyrichoceras is presently assigned to the Maximitidae,[1][3] although some authors have assigned it to the Muensteroceratidae or Anthracoceratidae [4]. Miller and Furnish [2] included Beyrichoceras in the subfamily Goniatitinae, family Goniatitidae, and superfamily Goniatitaceae. The Maxigoniatitidae, established by Korn, Klug & Mapes, 1999, is based on Goniatites maximus var. saourensis Pareyn, 1961, renamed Maxigoniatites
Beyrichoceras is found in midde Lower Carboniferous ( Mississippian upper Osagean-Meremacian equivalent) strata [4] in North America, Europe, and North Africa [2][3].
Beyrichoceras has been described as a "fast-moving nektonic carnivore".[1] Its small, involutely coiled form nevertheless suggest a floating nektonic or nekto-benthic stalker capable to sudden swift maneuvering. As with all known cephalopods, Beyrichoceras was undoubtedly carnivorous