Ellipsocephaloidea


Ellipsocephaloidea is a superfamily of trilobites that lived during the Cambrian period. It was first described by Lin in 1990.

Taxonomy

According to the Fossilworks database, Ellipsocephaloidea belongs to the order Redlichiida and includes several families, such as Agraulidae, Bigotinidae, Ellipsocephalidae, Estaingiidae, Palaeolenidae, and Yunnanocephalidae, although it is now thought the superfamily is within the Ptychopariida

Agraulidae

is a family of trilobites within the superfamily Ellipsocephaloidea. Members of this family are characterized by their large size and distinctive cephalic features.

Bigotinidae

is another family of trilobites within the superfamily Ellipsocephaloidea. Members of this family are known for their small size and elongated body shape.

Ellipsocephalidae

is a family of trilobites within the superfamily Ellipsocephaloidea. Members of this family are characterized by their oval-shaped cephalon and distinctive thoracic segments.

Estaingiidae

is a family of trilobites within the superfamily Ellipsocephaloidea. Members of this family are known for their large size and distinctive pygidium.

Palaeolenidae

is a family of trilobites within the superfamily Ellipsocephaloidea. Members of this family are characterized by their small size and distinctive cephalic features.

Yunnanocephalidae

is a family of trilobites within the superfamily Ellipsocephaloidea. Members of this family are known for their large size and distinctive thoracic segments.

Ecology

These trilobites were fast-moving low-level epifaunal deposit feeders.