Gnathodus


Gnathodus is an extinct conodont genus in the family Idiognathodontidae.

Palaeobiology

Feeding

indicates that the occlusal cycle of Gnathodus bilineatus consisted of rotation of the P1 elements in the transverse plane of the anterior–posterior axis, with separation of the P1 elements occurring to enable the entry of food particles.

Use in stratigraphy

The Tournaisian, the oldest age of the Mississippian, contains eight conodont biozones, 3 of which are defined by Gnathodus species:
The Visean, the second age of the Mississippian, contains four conodont biozones, two of which are defined by Gnathodus species:
  • the Gnathodus bilineatus Zone
  • the Gnathodus texanus Zone
The Serpukhovian, the third or youngest age of the Mississippian, includes four conodont biozones, two of which are defined by Gnathodus species:
  • the Gnathodus postbilineatus Zone
  • the Gnathodus bollandensis Zone