RARE JURASSIC LIPAROCERAS AMMONITE FROM GERMANY

Gottingen, Germany

EARLY JURASSIC PERIOD (LIAS):  200 - 176 million years ago

From an Early Jurassic deposit in Germany, this rare type ammonite is of the genus Liparoceras.  It possesses a very rare, extremely well calcified shell with superbly preserved anatomy.  The outer ornamentation in this specimen is well exhibited as seen above.  This particular specimen is perfect for advanced marine life or invertebrate fossil collections as this species from West Europe is uncommon and this is such a fine example.  Natural pigment and excellent surface detail make this an excellent display specimen.  Entire ammonite has NO REPAIR AND NO RESTORATION. 

Ammonites are extinct members of the Cephalopod class.  Modern members include nautilus, squid and octopus.  They first appeared during the Silurian Period (435 million to 410 million years ago) and were abundant and widespread in the seas of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods (175 million to 65 million years ago).  Ammonites are important index fossils—that is, they often link the rock layer in which they are found to specific geological time periods.

Ammonites varied greatly in size.  The largest known as small as 2 cm (0.75 in) in diameter.  During the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, ammonites evolved more streamlined shells for swimming and the structure of the shell became stronger.  Different shell shapes emerged as well, such as snail-like or uncoiled.   

The shells of ammonites had hollow chambers separated by walls called septa.  A tube called the siphuncle, connected the body with the chambers allowing the animal to fill them with water or air, changing its buoyancy in order to rise or drop in the ocean.  Only the last and largest chamber was occupied by the living animal.  

Ammonites probably lived for one to six years, with the majority living two to four years.  They fed on plankton (tiny free-floating organisms), sea lilies, and smaller orthoceras.  Although many fed off the ocean floor, others may have caught plankton while floating or swimming via jet propulsion, expelling water through a funnel-like opening to propel themselves in the opposite direction.

Because ammonites lived exclusively in marine environments, their presence also indicates the location of prehistoric seas.

UNCOMMON TYPE OF SUPERB QUALITY - ANATOMY WELL-PRESERVED - RARELY SEEN IN COLLECTIONS!

3.1" wide

$295     AMX-129     INCLUDES STAND     Actual Item - One Only

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