| Tentaculites Temporal range: Devonian |
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|---|---|
| Tentaculitids from the Devonian of Maryland. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Tentaculita |
| Order: | Tentaculitida |
| Family: | Tentaculitidae |
| Genus: | Tentaculites von Schlotheim 1820 |
| Species | |
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See text. |
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Tentaculites is an extinct genus of molluscs known from Devonian age fossils, ranging from 360-410 million years ago. The taxonomic classification of tentaculitids is uncertain, but some group them with pteropods. They may also be related to other conical shells of uncertain affinity including cornulitids, microconchids and trypanoporids. Tentaculitids have ribbed, cone-shaped shells which range in length from 5 to 20 mm.