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Dactylioceras commune (J. Sowerby), ammonite
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Dactioloceras commune ammonite specimen. Ammonites are an extinct group of marine animals related to modern day Nautiloids, squid, cutlefish and octopus. Ammonites are excellent index or 'zone' fossils, in that it is possible to link the rock layer in which they are found to specific geological time periods. In the case of this species, there is a 'commune zone' that forms part of Lower Lias in the Lower Jurassic. So, a specimen of Dactilioceras commune found in-situ tells scientitists that the rock is of of Lower Lias age - this is the basis of the science of stratigraphy The closest living relative of the Ammonitida, is not the modern Nautilus which they do look like, but rather the subclass Coleoidea (octopus, squid, and cuttlefish). Ammonite fossil shells usually take the form of planispirals. Their name came from their spiral shape as their fossilised shells somewhat resemble tightly-coiled rams' horns. Pliny the Elder (d. 79 A.D. near Pompeii) called fossils of these animals ammonis cornua ('horns of Ammon') because the Egyptian god Ammon (Amun) was typically depicted wearing ram's horns.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | G681 |
| Date | 200000001BC - 145000000BC |
| Period | Jurassic |
| Collection | Geology |
| Technique | |
| Creator | |
| Name | |
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