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RARE COMPLETE CRETACEOUS NAUTILUS FOSSIL WITH MORTAL INJURY FROM THE UNITED STATES Jonah Formation - North Central Texas, USA CRETACEOUS PERIOD (MIDDLE SANTONIAN STAGE) : 85 - 84 million years ago While not an ammonite, this creature is a member of the ammonoid family hence, the listing in this section. It is really quite an interesting specimen of a Cretaceous nautilus species called Eutrephoceras campbelli and is the first nautilus of this type and formation we have ever offered. It is also the only example we have to offer so it is indeed, a unique listing. What makes it especially desirable is the mortal injury the fossilized shell displays - two massive cracks from being crushed when alive. The disarticulation of the shell can be seen with two cracks that would have proved fatal to the creature. It is highly likely this was crushed in the jaw of a predator such as a mosasaur. When alive, the cracked shell would have still been held intact by internal tissue and looked just as it does in the position it is in now. (The disarticulation would seen here would not have been caused over time in the fossilization process) When mosasaurs attacked ammonites and nautili, they did not do so to swallow immediately the prey but to injure. This was done with a crushing bite to crack the shell and immobilize the creature. The ammonoid meal would have then been extracted from the shell and eaten. A superb and unusual fossil specimen coming with out highest recommendation! Full inflation and shell segment detail evident. This is a top-grade example of prehistoric marine predation! Fine quality ammonoid specimens from the USA are NOT common and not mined commercially compared to the much more prevalent Moroccan and Madagascar types always seen for sale. This unique species hails from the same time period as many of North America's famous dinosaurs and is a superbly preserved as well as a wonderfully aesthetic display fossil. VERY UNCOMMON NAUTILUS FOSSIL WITH SHELL INJURY POSSIBLY FROM A MOSASAUR ATTACK! 5" x 4.75" SOLD AMX-021 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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