Kiellotillidae

Kiellotillidae is a family of extinct marine invertebrates belonging to the phylum Arthropoda. These fossil organisms are known from the Carboniferous period, primarily from deposits in North America and Europe. Kiellotillids are characterized by their segmented bodies, which were typically covered by a carapace or exoskeleton.

Their morphology suggests a benthic or semi-benthic lifestyle, meaning they likely lived on or near the seafloor. The precise diet and ecological role of kiellotillids remain subjects of ongoing research, but their segmented bodies and appendages suggest they were capable of locomotion and potentially scavenging or predation.

Fossil specimens of Kiellotillidae are often found preserved in fine-grained sedimentary rocks, which allows for detailed study of their anatomical features. The classification of kiellotillids within Arthropoda has been debated, with some researchers placing them closer to crustaceans or chelicerates.

The discovery and study of kiellotillids contribute to our understanding of the diversity of arthropod life during the Paleozoic Era. Their extinction, like many other marine invertebrates, is linked to the environmental changes that occurred towards the end of the Carboniferous period. Ongoing paleontological research continues to shed light on the evolutionary relationships and paleoecology of this extinct family.