Cornulitids

Cornulitids are a group of extinct marine mollusks that lived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, approximately 200 to 66 million years ago. They are characterized by their distinctive, spiral-shaped shells, which are often found in marine sedimentary rocks. Cornulitids are believed to have been suspension feeders, filtering food particles from the water column.

The name "cornulitids" comes from the Latin word "cornu," meaning horn, and "litids," a suffix used to denote small, horn-like structures. This name reflects the shape of their shells, which resemble a small horn or spiral.

Cornulitids are found in various marine environments, including shallow seas, deep-sea trenches, and even in the open ocean. Their fossils are often found in association with other marine invertebrates, such as ammonites and belemnites, which provides valuable information about the paleoenvironment and the history of life during the Mesozoic era.

Despite their abundance in the fossil record, the biology and ecology of cornulitids remain poorly understood. However, their distinctive shells and widespread distribution make them an important group of fossils for studying the evolution of marine life and the history of Earth's oceans.