The order Pygocephalomorpha is an extinct group of peracarid crustaceans. Pygocephalomorpha appeared in the Late Devonian, were abundant from the Carboniferous era until their extinction in the Early Permian era.
This group constituted part of the freshwater and aquatic crustacean assemblages. The carapace is relatively axially shortened, with a prominent gastric region. Laterally, a cervical groove is visible, with carapace margins which is defined by an acute spine or process, including somewhat well developed branchiostegites".
Taxonomy The order contains extinct five families, and seven genera incertae sedis:
Jerometichenoriidae Jerometichenoria Notocarididae Notocaris Paulocaris Pygocephalidae Anthracaris Mamayocaris Pygocephalus ?Tealliocarididae (Affinity as pygocephalomorph is uncertain) Tealliocaris Laevitealliocaris Tylocarididae Chaocaris Fujianocaris Liocaris Pseudogalathea Tylocaris Pygocephalomorpha Bellocaris Hoplita Iraticaris Permocaris Pittinucaris Pygaspis Sosiocaris
Phylogeny The phylogeny of Pygocephalomorpha after Astrop 2026.
See also Tealliocaris
References