Subfamily Pharciceratinae Hyatt, 1900

Diagnosis

Pharciceratidae with open umbilicus in all growth stages; umbilical width ratio decreasing in the adult stage. Suture line with four to six umbilical lobes.

Included genera

Pharciceras Hyatt, 1884; Allopharciceras Bockwinkel, Becker & Aboussalam, 2017; Extropharciceras Bockwinkel, Becker& Ebbighausen, 2009; Lunupharciceras Korn in Korn & Klug, 2002; Oxypharciceras Bockwinkel, Becker & Aboussalam, 2017; Sphaeropharciceras Bogoslovsky, 1955 (probably synonym of Pharciceras); Transpharciceras Bockwinkel, Becker & Ebbighausen, 2013; Evopharciceras gen. nov.

Remarks

Bogoslovsky (1955) introduced the genus Sphaeropharciceras; the species S. sandbergerorum, which was newly named by him at the same time, was determined as the type species. This species was based on an illustration by Sandberger & Sandberger (1850 –1856: pl. 9 fig. 2), in which a small (13 mm conch diameter), almost globular specimen is shown.

The specimen was then figured and briefly discussed by House (in House & Ziegler 1977: pl. 5 figs 24–26). House concluded that the distorted specimen has to be included in Pharciceras tridens . Unfortunately, this specimen is now considered lost; therefore, it cannot be verified whether it is indeed to be considered a synonym of P. tridens . Owing to the small size, however, it should hardly be possible to formulate a satisfactory species diagnosis.