Dithyrocaris rolfei-Montana-BG039

Taxa: Dithyrocaris rolfei

Age: Carboniferous-Mississippian

Geology: Heath Limestone-Bear Gulch Member

Locality: Fergus County, Montana

Dithyrocaris rolfei

Dithyrocaris is a genus of extinct crustaceans that lived during the Paleozoic Era. These ancient marine arthropods are part of the subclass Phyllocarida, known for their distinctive body plan, which includes a bivalved carapace that covers the thorax and a segmented abdomen.

Key characteristics of Dithyrocaris and similar phyllocarids include:

Bivalved Carapace: A shell-like structure that protects the thorax.

Segmented Abdomen: Typically with seven or more segments, often ending in a telson (a tail spine).

Appendages: Multiple pairs of appendages used for swimming, feeding, and other functions.

Dithyrocaris, like other phyllocarids, likely inhabited marine environments where it played a role in the ancient ecosystems, possibly as a scavenger or detritivore. The study of Dithyrocaris and related genera helps paleontologists understand the diversity and evolution of early crustaceans and their ecological roles in prehistoric seas.

Bear Gulch Limestone

The Bear Gulch Limestone is a fossil-rich geological formation located in Montana, USA, known for its exceptional preservation of marine fossils from the Mississippian subperiod of the Carboniferous period, approximately 330 million years ago. Use the hyperlinked text to learn more!