Cleoniceras Madagascan Ammonite

7.5"/190mm diameter

Post Free to Mainland United kingdom Only

Description

Excellent polished Cleoniceras Madagascan Ammonite revealing the amazing Suture Patterning [the under-shell layer of the Ammonite], This showing the fascinating complexity of the anatomy of the once living swimming Cephalopod. The many chambers of the Cephalopod lie under the suture patterning. As you will see on the other cut and polished varieties through our online catalogue. The Ammonite added a new chamber as it grew living in the last and therefore largest Living Chamber. some opalescence present on polished surface.

Brief Ammonite History

Ammonites, part of the Ammonitida [order], Ammonoidea [sub class], Cephalopoda [class], of marine invertebrates were fascinating and believed to be aggressive creatures, with their extremely large eyes they could easily hunt at night or at great depth where little or no light penetrates the deep oceans. The Cephalopod would grab its prey in their grappling tentacles, prey such as other crustaceans and fish, much as the persisting modern day Nautilus Pompilius [Emperor Nautilus], which swims the Pacific. Off the Great Barrier reef at a depth of between 200-400m sightings of Nautilus were made. Showing the pressures these Cephalopods can attain. The Ammonites extinction was around 74 mya, pre the great mass extinction of around 65 mya, at the end of the Cretaceous Period which ended the rule of the dinosaurs. Ammonites are very important Index Fossils, it is often possible to link the sediment layer in which they are found to specific geological time periods. The largest ammonite found to date was around 2.5m diameter and was found in Germany. Ammonite, Named [by the Greek ancients Ammon], after the Egyptian God deity Amun, with his ram horn ears, similar to the concentrically formed Ammonite shell. Closet modern relatives [subclass Coleoidea], octopus, squid, and cuttlefish.

Genus

Cleoniceras besairei sp.

Geological age

Approximately 112mya, Albion Cretaceous [Cretaceous period 135-65 mya]

Location

Mahajanga,Northwestern Madagascar