Phylogeny of Middle–Late Ordovician lituitid cephalopods based on cladistic analysis

Phylogenetic studies are rare in early Palaeozoic cephalopods. Here, we present the first cladistic analysis of order Lituitida based on published, as well some new, material. Three clades recovered within ingroup lituitids, Sinoceras, Ancistroceras and Lituites; former two groups correspond to family Sinoceratidae, latter one Lituitidae. The topology shows that Sinoceratidae represents basal branch, while Lituitidae a monophyletic, derived clade. Furthermore, describe new material four species (three which newly defined) genera from well-exposed, Middle Upper Ordovician Hubei (South China). described include Lituites evolutus Fang, Chen & Zhang, Sinoceras complexum Fang sp. nov., Tyrioceras longicameratum nov. Rhynchorthoceras yizanense South China is reported occurrence China, has significant palaeogeographical implications.http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:470C958E-26DD-4A2E-B0FC-4B2B178367FE