Cymatoceras sakalavus
Phylum Mollusca, Class Cephalopoda, Subclass Nautiloidea, Order Nautilida, Family Cymatoceratidae
Geological Time: Middle Cretaceous, Albian Stage (112 mya)
Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): 78 mm diameter, 61 mm across living chamber
Fossil Site: Mahajanga, Madagascar
Code: 06007
Price: $115.00 - sold
 Description:
This fine nautiloid is a Cymatoceras from Madagascar which is free
of matrix. This allows you the opportunity to view this fine, robust
specimen from all aspects. It has been polished to bring out the fine
details. The primitive suturing pattern distinguishes these cephalopods
from the ammonites (I have posted it with the ammonites as they are
close relatives). The Nautilida have a rich evolutionary history which
began in the early Devonian. The order suffered a drastic decline
in the late Devonian, only to have an extensive radiation in the Carboniferous.
They suffered less than some other orders at the end of the Permian,
and did better than the ammonites by surviving the Cretaceous extinction,
leaving one descendant, the modern-day Nautilus. This is a stunning
example of a nautiloid from the Albian (112 m.y.a) deposits of Madagascar,
one that is sure to be an integral part of any collection. |
