Morphological variations and geographic distribution of the rare Middle Jurassic ammonite Oecoptychius refractus

The rare Middle Jurassic ammonite Oecoptychius refractus is revisited based on material collected in southern Poland (Ogrodzieniec quarry) and France (St.-Laon near Loudun, western France). Based on available data and an evalua-tion of the literature, O. refractus ranges from the middle Callovian Kosmoceras jason Zone to the upper Callovian Quenstedtoceras lamberti Zone. Additionally, two specimens from Kachchh (western India) were re-evaluated and are now assigned to the lower part of the upper Callovian Peltoceras athleta Zone, similar to specimens from southern Germany. In the present study, O. refractus displays large morphological variation in the shape of the body-chamber, with a gradation from V-to U-shape. Additionally, the smaller upper Callovian specimens from Poland are morphologically closer to the lectotype (more evolute and compressed) and form a separate grouping as compared to the much larger middle Callovian specimens from France. Based on available data, the authors tentatively propose Phlycticeras polygo- nium var. waageni [M] as the dimorphic partner of O. refractus [m]; both dimorphs have similar morphology (ribbing pattern and striations), suture line and co-occur from middle to upper Callovian. Oecoptychius refractus maintains its morphological variability throughout the middle and upper Callovian, before its final dissapearance in the Q. lamberti Zone. Oecoptychius refractus is better documented from western Tethyan localities (Poland, Germany and France) as compared to those from the eastern Tethys (Madagascar and India). Recurrent sea level rises in the Middle Jurassic might be one of the plausible factors for its extensive palaeobiogeographic range.

Automated summary

This study revisits the rare Middle Jurassic ammonite Oecoptychius refractus and finds its main occurrence in the Callovian Kosmoceras Zone and Quenstedtoceras Zone, with large morphological variation in body-chamber shape. The fossil record of O. refractus is better documented in the western Tethys (Poland, Germany, and France) compared to the eastern Tethys (Madagascar and India). The extensive palaeobiogeographic range of O. refractus may be influenced by recurrent sea level rises in the Middle Jurassic.