''Meekoceras'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

of ceratitid ammonites with a discoidal shell that lived during the

Early Triassic The Early Triassic is the first of three epochs of the Triassic Period of the geologic timescale. It spans the time between Ma and Ma (million years ago). Rocks from this epoch are collectively known as the Lower Triassic Series, which is a un ...

Epoch In chronology and periodization, an epoch or reference epoch is an instant in time chosen as the origin of a particular calendar era. The "epoch" serves as a reference point from which time is measured. The moment of epoch is usually decided by ...

Description

''Meekoceras'' is characterized by a compressed, discoidal, evolute or involute shell with flattened sides and narrow, flattened or rounded venter that is without keels or furrows. The surface is smooth or with lateral folds, but no tubercles, spines, or spiral ridges. Umbilicus variable, body chamber short. Sutures ceratitic with smooth rounded saddles and serrated lobes.

Taxonomic position

Smith (1932) and Arkell et al. (1957) included ''Meekoceras'' in the Meekoceratidae, which was named to contain the genus. Different approaches were made regarding the next taxonomic level. Arkell, et al. (1957) includes Meekoceratidae in the Noritacdeae while Smith (1932) included them in the Prolecanitoidea. '' Wyoningites'' and '' Svalbardiceras'' are related genera.

References

* Arkell, W.J. et al., 1957. Mesozoic Ammonoidea. Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology Part L. Geological Society and University of Kansas Press. *Smith, J.P. 1932. Lower Triassic Ammonoids of North America. US Geological Survey Professional Paper 167. Meekoceratidae Ammonites of North America Ceratitida genera Triassic ammonites {{Ceratitida-stub