Ammonite Fossil Info: Now extinct ammonites belonged to a class of molluscs called cephlapods. Ammonite fossils are held in high esteem by rock collectors because of there coiled ornate shells. Geologists use the complex suturing patterns (picture)formed during shell growth to identify different ammonite fossils. Species identification is important as the evolvtion of ammonites fossils is well known and identification allows a date to be placed upon the rocks in which the ammonite fossil is found.
Picture of fossil ammonite
Ammonite Sutures- used for fossil identification |
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Ammonite |
The Ammonite Fossil Record: Ammonites first appear in the fossil record during the Devonian Period. The group reached its greatest diversity during the mesozoic. Ammonites disappeared with the same extinction event that killed off the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous Period.
Ammonite Behavior: What is known about ammonites is primarily based on the now living nautilus. The ammonites like the nautalis were able to control the amount of air in thier shell. ammonites were likely carniverous or fed on carion.
Ammonite Fossils a Photo Gallery:
Ammonite Links: Some of the best ammonite links on the web.
Ammonite Evolution: Ammonites can be placed into three broad groups which are related to thier time of apperance. The Goniatites are the earliest ammonites and are found in the Devonian Period. The ceratites appeared in the Permian and finally what we now formally refer to as "true" ammonites appeared during the Jurrasic Period.
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