Etymology: The new taxon Geyericeras is dedicated to the late Professor Otto Franz Geyer (1924–2002), ammonitologist and stratigrapher of Upper Jurassic deposits in Iberia and South America.

Type species: Geyericeras aragoniense sp. nov.

Diagnosis.—Micro- and macroconchiate ataxioceratids of small size showing moderate to loose coiling. Whorl section subrectangular, narrower in microconchs than in macroconchs. Ribbing dense and delicate on the inner whorls. On the phragmocone ribs are mainly bifurcate, some polygyrate and less frequently subpolyplocoid, which also occur on the inner whorls in macroconchs. Intercalatory ribs scarce. On the body-chamber ribs are stronger, rib inter-space slightly wider and subpolyplocoid ribs exist. Ribbing index commonly lower than 4. Rib-curve decreasing from shell size less than 50 mm. No parabolic structures are present. Constrictions common. Lappeted peristome in microconchs.

Remarks.—Geyericeras gen. nov. microconchs [m] are smaller than 60 mm while macroconchs [M] have a shell size up to 152 mm. The main phenotype traits defining Geyericeras [m, M] are the relatively tight coiling on the inner whorls, the fine and delicate ribbing in microconchs and immature macroconchs, the occurrence of subpolyplocoid ribs, and the stratigraphic range within the upper part of the Ataxioceras lothari Biozone identified in the eastern Iberian Chain.

At present, Geyericeras gen. nov. includes a single species, Geyericeras aragoniense sp. nov. [m, M]. The occurrence of subplyplocoid ribs in microconchiates is interpreted as forced by high-dense ribbing, and is unconnected to dense ribbing in the outer whorls of macroconchiates. In macroconchs, subpolyplocoid structures result from the complete-to-defective connection of secondary ribs with the adjacent, aboral primary rib. Thus, the occurrence of subpolyplocoid ribs in microconchs resembles the dense-ribbing effect which is well known in Schneidia [m. M]. In contrast, in macroconchs the origin of subpolyplocoid ribs is similar to that known in some new endemic taxon from the Sutneria platynota Biozone, which clearly differs in ribbing style (under study by LM).

Geyericeras gen. nov. [m] is interpreted as a result of in-situ morphological evolution of Ataxioceratinae on epicontinental shelves of the present-day eastern Iberian Chain, and therefore represents phenotype dynamics related to endemism (see Olóriz et al. 1988; Moliner and Olóriz 1999; Olóriz 2000 for paleoenvironmental considerations). Microconchs show morphological convergence with evolute phenotypes belonging to the stratigraphically older Schneidia Atrops, 1982 [m], which developed during the Schneidia guilherandense Subchronozone of the Sutneria platynota Chronozone. By analogy with Schneidia Atrops, 1982 [m, M], Geyericeras gen. nov. [m, M] originated from the last-known cladogenetic event in the phylogenetic branch of Ardescia Atrops, 1982 [m, M], most probably through: (i) increased discocone structuring of shells and its effects on ribbing before maturity; and (ii) late ontogenetic innovation comprising the development of subpolyplocoid structures manifested with variable timing in the ontogeny of macroconchiate specimens (heterochrony?). Thus, the new genus Geyericeras [m, M] is interpreted as having originated within the branch of the older endemic Ardescia during the latest Ataxioceras hippolytense Chronozone or, alternatively, later within the Ataxioceras lothari Chronozone. Geyericeras gen. nov. [m, M] represents one of the cul-de-sac phenotype specializations which are common in Lower Kimmeridgian Ataxioceratinae—i.e., the acquisition of double furcations or real subpolyplocoid ribbing.

The resulting extreme phenotypes left no descendants, most probably because they reached a maximum for ribbing specialization in Ataxioceratinae through the combination of shell type and sculpture. Earlier in the Kimmeridgian, this ammonite group experienced analogous evolutionary changes in phenotype expression, resulting in the origination of other genera such as Schneidia [m, M] and new endemic forms during the Sutneria platynota Chronozone.

Geyericeras gen. nov. [M] differs from its microconchs through both the significantly larger adult size and wider, coarser but comparatively weakened primary ribs. However, difficulties arise in differentiating incomplete or immature specimens of similar shell size. Whatever the case, macroconchs of Geyericeras have more robust shells and show less frequent constrictions.

Geyericeras gen. nov. [m] is clearly separated from Ardescia Atrops, 1982 [m] on the basis of a finer and tighter ribbing, as well as by the more or less regular development of subpolyplocoid ribs.

Geyericeras gen. nov. [m] is typically more evolute than Schneidia Atrops, 1982 [m] at their respective largest shell sizes. These two taxa are recorded from the eastern Iberian Chain, the former within the uppermost Ataxioceras lothari Biozone and the latter in deposits from the upper part of the Sutneria platynota Biozone, as observed elsewhere (e.g., Atrops 1982; Marques 1983; Olóriz and Rodríguez-Tovar 1993; Bachnou and Atrops 1996; Gradl and Schairer 1997; Villaseñor et al. 2000). Schneidia [M] shows short, reinforced, periumbilical ribs that are unknown in Geyericeras [M].

Lithacosphinctes Olóriz, 1978 [m, M] is more evolute than Geyericeras gen. nov. [m, M] and developed larger and stouter shells with less dense and coarser ribbing. Moreover, Lithacosphinctes [m, M] developed parabolas and has no polyplocoid or subpolyplocoid ribbing. Finally, the majority of the stratigraphical range of Lithacosphinctes [m, M] predates the appearance of Geyericeras gen. nov. [m, M] in the eastern Iberian Chain.

Ataxioceras Fontannes, 1879 [m] shows less dense ribbing than Geyericeras gen. nov. [m], and true polyplocoid ribs are typical in large microconchs of Ataxioceras. Ataxioceras [M] exhibits rib curves similar to those of Geyericeras [M], although its ribbing is very different, with a typical trend toward reducing reinforced primary ribs to the periumbilical zone in late ontogeny. In addition, Ataxioceras [M] shows a narrow-oval whorl section with a narrow venter and slightly convex flanks, whereas the whorl section in Geyericeras [M] is subrectangular with flattened flanks and a wide, slightly arched venter.

Parataxioceras Schindewolf, 1925 [m, M] developed larger and more evolute shells than Geyericeras gen. nov. [m, M], and has ribs which are stronger, less dense, and show parabolic structures. In addition, subpolyplocoid ribbing in Parataxioceras [m] is not related to dense ribbing as it is in Geyericeras [m],

No ammonites similar to Geyericeras gen. nov. [m, M] have been described from equivalent horizons in epicontinental shelves from southern Europe. Therefore, Geyericeras is interpreted as endemic, restricted to the eastern Iberian Chain.

Stratigraphie and geographic range.—Uppermost part of the Ataxioceras lothari Biozone (youngest part of the Ataxioceras hypselocyclum Chronozone) in the eastern Iberian Chain.

Etymology: Refers to Aragón, the Spanish region which includes the province of Teruel, where the research was undertaken.

Type material: Holotype: UGR MLG.23.20; Fig. 7A; microconch recovered from bed number 23 in the Reservoir of Calanda section UGR MLG (Teruel Province, Spain). Paratypes [m]: UGR MPC.28.15, UGR MPC.28.72, UGR MPC.28.73, UGR MPC.29.8, UGR MLG.23.20, UGR MLG.23.23, UGR MBV'.21.1, UGR MPR.36.1. Paratypes [M]: UGR MBV'.21.2, UGR MPC.29.1, UGR MPR.36.10, UGR MPR.36.20, UGR MPR.36.21, UGR MPR.36.22, UGR MPR.36.24.

Type locality: Reservoir of Calanda, Calanda (province of Teruel, Spain).

Type horizon: Lower Kimmeridgian, Ataxioceras lothari Biozone, A. lothari Subzone, Geyericeras aragoniense biohorizon.

Included species: Only the type species.

Diagnosis.—Microconch: maximum adult diameter about 60 mm, moderate-to-low coiling degree (U/Dm = 33–42%), and subrectangular whorl-section. Constrictions common, indistinct, limited by an adoral, incipiently reinforced edge. Ribs fine, mainly bifurcate in low angle; some polygyrates, intercalatory and less commonly subpolyplocoid ribs close to the peristome. Body-chamber about three quarters to a complete whorl long. Generally, the rib curve per half-a-whorl decreases for shell sizes less than 50 mm, but cases in which it slightly increases are known. Peristomal structures unknown, but adoral convexity of ribs occurs close to the end of the body-chamber.

Macroconch: maximum adult size about 160 mm, evolute to very evolute (37–52%) with subrectangular whorl section. Constrictions common, narrow and shallow. Scarce subpolyplocoid ribs on the phragmocone and more frequent on the body-chamber. Rib curves per complete whorl and per half-a-whorl decrease in shells smaller than 40 mm. The bodychamber is about a whorl long; peristome simple.

Description.—The holotype UGR MLG.23.20 [m] (Figs. 2, 3,7A) is 52.5 mm in size and shows a coiling degree of 41%. This specimen preserves slightly more than three-quarters of the spire pertaining to the body-chamber, which begins at ca. 34 mm. The whorl section is slightly subrectangular with flattened flanks. Seven narrow and oblique constrictions can be seen on the outer whorl. Ribs are crowded and bifurcate, and some polygyrate and subpolyplocoid ribs are present in the mature shell. The ribbing index slightly varies, generally around 2.5, and the rib curve per half-a-whorl decreases from 35 mm onwards (Fig. 2).

Among microconch paratypes (measurements in Table 1), UGR MLG.23.23 (Figs. 2, 3) is morphologically very similar to the holotype but slightly greater in size—58 mm in diameter. Three-quarters of the outer whorl belong to the body-chamber, which starts at 34.5 mm of the shell diameter. Six constrictions are observed on the outer whorl. Ribbing is similar to the holotype and slightly prorsiradiate, showing a single, incomplete subpolyplocoid rib towards the end of the preserved shell. The rib curve per half-a-whorl is horizontal from at least 40 mm in shell size (Fig. 2).

UGR MPC.28.15 (Figs. 2, 7C) is 56 mm in size and slightly more involute (U/Dm ratio 38%). The outer three-quarters of the outer whorl belong to the body-chamber, showing at least five more-or-less distinct constrictions and fine, dense, rather rigid and prorsiradiate ribs that bifurcate through low angles close to the shell periphery. Close to the end of the preserved inner mould there are some intercalatory and subpolyplocoid ribs.

UGR MPC.29.8 (Figs. 2, 7B) is 57 mm in size and shows a wide, slightly arched venter. The body-chamber starts at 34 mm and occupies slightly more than three-quarters of the outer whorl, showing at least four rather indistinct constrictions, which are shallow, narrow and oblique to the fine, prorsiradiate and dense ribbing. Furcations through small angles are close to shell periphery, and there are indistinct rib divisions allowing for individualization of a single rib from its adjacent intercalatory rib in rare cases. The ribbing index is low—2.6. Towards the end of the ontogeny, the rib curve per half-a-whorl increases gradually (Fig. 2).

UGR MPC.28.73 (Figs. 2, 3, 7D) reaches 59 mm in size and is very similar to the holotype. Constrictions occur from the inner whorls onwards, and at last five oblique and rather indistinct constrictions can be observed in the outer whorl, as identified in UGR MPC.28.15. The body-chamber extends across ca. 320°. Rib crowding diminishes toward the end of the shell, some polygyrate ribs exist, and the rib index increases abruptly from 2.6 to 4.0. The rib curve per half-a-whorl decreases from 45 mm in shell size onwards (Fig. 2).

The small-sized macroconchs show decreasing coiling degree throughout ontogeny (37–52%, see Table 2). The whorl section is subrectangular with flattened flanks, rounded periumbilical edge, abrupt umbilical wall, and wide, slightly convex venter. The body-chamber occupies an entire whorl. The peristome is simple. Constrictions are rather narrow, shallow, indistinct, oblique to ribbing, and adorally limited by a reinforced edge which is slightly stronger than the primary ribs. No parabolic structures were observed. Ribbing is dense, coarse and subtly prorsiradiate on the inner whorls. Whorl overlap prevents the analysis of secondary ribs on the inner whorls. On the outer whorls, ribs bifurcate through small angles and irregular polygyrate ribs show furcation points high on the flanks. Relative widening of the primary ribs is evident from the end of the phragmocone onwards. Secondary ribs are subtle and the rib index is relatively low, fluctuating around 3. Body-chamber sculpture consists of common subpolyplocoid ribs showing the lower primary/secondary rib connection on the inner half of the flank. Examples of quasi-subpolyplocoid ribs can be observed in both the phragmocone and the body-chamber, as resulting from defective connections between primary and secondary ribs. Relative sculpture smoothing and weakening of connection points among primary and secondary ribs increase along with shell size. Rib curves per complete whorl and per half-a-whorl decrease from shell size even less than 30 mm, and cases of rib curves showing variable (“undulated”) trajectory are known (Figs. 4, 5).

Among macroconch paratypes (measurements in Table 2), UGR MPR.36.20 (Figs. 4, 5, 8) has a shell 152 mm in size and 48% to 51 % in U/Dm ratio, common subpolyplocoid ribs and five indistinct constrictions on the outer whorl. Rib interspaces increase toward the end of ontogeny, and weakening of the sculpture occurs across the flank, affecting the clear definition of ribs connections. The occurrence of a simple, rigid and slightly reinforced rib close to the end of the preserved inner mould suggests that the peristome is simple and subtly oblique to the prorsiradiate ribbing. The ribbing index is 4.0 at 100 mm in shell size. Rib curves per complete and half-a-whorl decrease and show a slightly variable course (“undulated”) from 32 mm in shell size (Figs. 4, 5). The body-chamber extends across almost the entire outer whorl.

UGR MPR.36.21 (Figs. 4, 5) reaches 105 mm in shell size and shows a U/Dm ratio of 45–46% toward the end of the shell. Constrictions are common (four on the body-chamber), very narrow, shallow, oblique to ribbing and limited by an adoral edge of relief similar to that shown by primary ribs. Primary ribs are subtly prorsiradiate, crowded and relatively coarse, increasing in both wideness and inter-rib spacing throughout the ontogeny. From the adoral quarter of the phragmocone onwards, ribs are low-angle bifurcates showing some intercalatories, or they are irregular polygyrate ribs without intercalatories. Rib subdivisions are located close to the external quarter of the flank and peripheral or secondary ribs are weaker than primary ones. Subpolyplocoid ribs occur on the camerate shell and are common on the body-chamber, which starts at 68 mm and extends slightly more than 225°. The ribbing index increases up to 4. Rib curves per complete and half-a-whorl decrease from 79 mm and 62 mm in shell size, respectively—which are the smallest shell sizes for which measurements were available (Figs. 4, 5).

UGR MPR.36.22 shows inner whorls very similar to those of UGR MPR.36.20 but sculptured with a more dense ribbing, which no doubt relates to the occurrence of some subpolyplocoid ribs (UR = 56 at 58 mm in shell diameter). The unfavourable preservation of the outer whorl impedes precise description other than identification of a single, indistinct constriction and slightly prorsiradiate and rigid ribs with very external and low-angle furcations.

UGR MPR.36.24 (Fig. 4) is 127 mm in size and preserves the end of the phragmocone and three-fourths of the bodychamber, which starts at 87 mm. The shell coiling fluctuates between 44% and 47% in the outer whorls. Towards the end of the phragmocone and the beginning of the body-chamber ribs are slightly prosiradiate, rigid and coarse, showing low-angle bifurcations placed very high on the flanks. One or two intercalatory ribs occur in inter-ribs spaces, which determine a ribbing index of 3.4. Four subpolyplocoid ribs have their second connection points on the inner one-third of the flank. On the outer half-a-whorl ribs are more distant, weaker, with indistinct connection points between primaries and secondaries. Four narrow, shallow and indistinct constrictions showing an adoral, reinforced ridge are observed on the body-chamber.

UGR MPR.36.10 is an incomplete specimen (73 mm) showing the end of the phragmocone at 70 mm. The U/Dm ratio increases throughout the ontogeny from 37% to 47%. Ribs are dense, fine and slightly prorsiradiate (UR = 45; UR/2 = 27 at 45 mm), showing indistinct connection points between primary and secondary ribs. The occurrence of two or three subpolyplocoid ribs is related to dense ribbing. In the last preserved whorl ribs bifurcate very high on the flanks, there is one intercalatory rib per inter-rib space, and two subpolyplocoid ribs are evidence of the occurrence of the innermost connection points close to the periumbilical edge. The ribbing index is 3.4 at the end of the preserved shell. Constrictions exist on the inner whorls. Two of these constrictions, narrow and shallow, can be identified on the outer whorl preserved.

UGR MPC.29.1 (Figs. 4, 5) shows both fewer constrictions and a similar but weaker sculpture. UGR MBV' .21.2 (Fig. 4) corresponds to a camerate shell at 64.5 mm, and shows oblique, indistinct constrictions, three of which are observed on the outer whorl that belongs to the phragmocone. Ribbing is dense, prorsiradiate and bifurcates between the external one-third and one-fourth of the flank. Intercalatory ribs occur occasionally, and subpolyplocoid ribs are scarce.

Complementary material, interpreted as Geyericeras cf. aragoniense sp. nov. [M, m], consists of septate internal moulds and more or less complete body-chambers showing coiling degree and sculpture equivalent to those described above (microconchs: UGR MTG2.33.1, UGR MVP.59.2, UGR MPC.28.16, UGR MPC.28.61, UGR MPC.28.78, UGR MPC.29.9, UGR MPC.29.11, UGR MPC.29.24, UGR MPC.29.26, UGR MPC.29.27, UGR MLG.23.2, UGR MLG.23.10, UGR MLG.23.13, UGR MLG.23.14, UGR MLG.23.19, UGR MPR.35.1, UGR MPR.36.4, UGR MPR.36.13, UGR MPR.36.14, UGR MPR.36.15; and macroconchs: UGR MVP.57.7, UGR MPC.28.70, UGR MPC.28.74, UGR MPC.29.13, UGR MLG.23.5, UGR MPR.35.4, UGR MPR.36.9, UGR MPR.36.12).

Stratigraphic and geographic range, associated ammonites and correlation potential.—The stratigraphie range of Geyericeras aragoniense sp. nov. [m, M] is restricted to the upper part of the Ataxioceras lothari Subzone, A. lothari Biozone, in lower Kimmeridgian deposits from the eastern Iberian Range, where it serves to identify and denominate the G. aragoniense biohorizon, below the FAD of Crussoliceras (Fig. 6).

The ammonite assemblage to which Geyericeras aragoniense sp. nov. [m, M] belongs consists of endemic Ardescia [m, M] (under study), Lithacosphinctes inconditus (Fontannes, 1879) [m, M], Lithacosphinctes sp. nov. gr. L. perayensis (Atrops, 1982) [m], Lithacosphinctes sp., Parataxioceras gr. evolutum Atrops, 1982 [m, M], Ataxioceras lothari (Oppel, 1863) morphotypes A. lothari lothari Oppel, 1863 [m, M] and A. lothari semistriatum Schneid, 1944 [m], Ataxioceras sp. [m, M] and other Ataxioceratinae [m, M]. Among other ammonites are Aspidoceras gr. linaresi Checa, 1985, Aspidoceras sp. gr. binodum (Oppel, 1863), Aspidoceras sesquinodosum (Fontannes, 1876 in Dumortier and Fontannes 1876), Aspidoceras sesquinodosum (Fontannes, 1876 in Dumortier and Fontannes 1876), Pseudowaagenia micropla (Oppel, 1863), Physodoceras wolfi (Neumayr, 1873), and other indeterminate aspidoceratins; rare Nebrodites sp., Glochiceras s. l., Metahaploceras gr. subnereus (Wegele, 1929), Metahaploceras sp., and Streblites sp. have also been identified.

The Geyericeras aragoniense biohorizon encompasses the stratigraphic interval between the FAD of Geyericeras aragoniense sp. nov. [m, M] and the FADs of Crussoliceras Enay, 1959 [m, M] and Garnierisphinctes Enay, 1959 [m, M]. Since ataxioceratid ammonites do not show major differences in the underlying Ataxioceras lothari biohorizon identified within the A. lothari Biozone (Fig. 6), and the lower boundary is defined by the FAD of an endemic taxon, the index species Geyericeras aragoniense sp. nov. [m, M], the precise correlation potential of the G. aragoniense biohorizon is somewhat restricted to the assumption of “isochrony” for its upper boundary, which is defined by the FAD of the widespread taxon Crussoliceras. Future improvement of the correlation potential of the G. aragoniense biohorizon is envisaged on the basis of accompanying ammonite taxa other than Ataxioceratinae (research in progress by the authors).