Origin and evolutionary history of Anglonautilus (Nautilida, Cymatoceratidae) and a new species from the lower Aptian of Spain

Abstract

The cymatoceratid nautilid genus Anglonautilus is distinguished from most other post-Triassic nautiloids by the occurrence of pronounced fold-like undulating ribs on the phragmocone and early body chamber. Anglonautilus praeundulatus n. sp. is described from the lower Aptian of eastern Spain. It is the first record of this genus from Spain and constitutes the oldest definite representative of the genus. This places the new species at the base of the evolutionary history of Anglonautilus. Its ornamental features confirm the previously assumed close relationship between Anglonautilus and Cymatoceras. An analysis of the ornamental pattern of all species hitherto referred to Anglonautilus indicates that there is an evolutionary lineage leading to the type species of the genus, A. undulatus, and a single successor (A. subalbensis). Several Late Cretaceous species hitherto identified as Anglonautilus (A. japonicus, A. mamiyai, A. suciensis) bear fold-like ribs superficially similar to typical representatives of Anglonautilus. The pattern of ornament in these taxa is very different at closer inspection, though. This suggests that these species developed independently from Cymatoceras. The undulations present in these taxa are interpreted here as a result of convergent evolution. They are therefore excluded from the genus Anglonautilus and provisionally referred to as “Anglonautilus” spp.