A new Beloceras species (Ammonoidea; Late Devonian) from eastern Iran and a phylogenetic analysis of the Beloceratidae

Abstract

The cladistic analysis of the beloceratid ammonoids Mesobeloceras and Beloceras shows anagenetic development, by increasing number of sutural elements, in the stem group representatives and cladogenesis in the crown group. Crown group topology rules out vicariant evolution of the beloceratids and does not show palaeogeographic patterns. The widespread occurrences of multilobate species of Beloceras suggests connected low-latitude shelf areas between the regions of the Anti-Atlas, Montagne Noire, Rhenish Mountains, Shotori Range, Altay, and Canning Basin. A new species of Beloceras, Beloceras sardarense sp. nov., is described.