Kolkedsidates

Kolkedsidates are a genus of extinct sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Turbinellidae. The genus is characterized by its characteristics, which include a spiral shell with a large, eye-like structure called an "epiphragm" at the apex. The epiphragm is a complex structure that helps to protect the snail from desiccation.

Kolkedsidates are known from fossil records found in Late Cretaceous to Early Paleogene deposits. Their shells are typically large, with a diameter of up to several centimeters, and are characterized by their thick, coarse sculpturing. The shell's surface is often covered in spiral lines and ridges, giving it a distinctive appearance.

The kolkedsidates were likely slow-moving, bottom-dwelling animals that fed on soft-bodied organisms such as sponges, corals, and other mollusks. Their habitat would have been in shallow, tropical or subtropical marine environments. Some species of kolkedsidates have been found in association with coral reefs, suggesting that they may have lived symbiotically with corals.

Despite their fascinating characteristics, the evolutionary relationships of the kolkedsidates are still not well understood. Further research is needed to determine their exact position within the gastropod family tree. Nonetheless, the kolkedsidates continue to be an important subject of study for marine paleontologists and malacologists, providing insights into the biology and ecology of ancient marine life forms.