Liroceras
| Liroceras | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Cephalopoda |
| Subclass: | Nautiloidea |
| Order: | Nautilida |
| Family: | †Liroceratidae |
| Genus: | †Liroceras Teichert, 1940 |
Liroceras is a genus of nautiloid cephalopod. It is the type genus of the clydonautiliacean family, Liroceratidae, and is characterized by a rapidly expanding, subglobular, nautiliconic shell with a reniform whorl section, small umbilicus, essentially straight sutures, and a siphuncle with a variable but not marginal position.
Liroceras has a temporal range from the Mississippian to the Permian period, the longest of the Liroceratidae. It has been found in North America, Europe, China and the East Indies. A similar genus, Condraoceras, differs in having a circular cross section and shallow ventral and lateral lobes. Another, Bistrialites, also has a reniform whorl section but differs in having a large funnel-shaped umbilicus.