uncoiled giant ammonite

In the world of fossils, ammonites occupy a certain domination. Nevertheless, within this gigantic groups, the unrolled (or hétéromorphes) occupy a quite particular place. The evolution of ammonites, for a long time considered as an evolutionary degeneration, is now anticipated more as an adaptive answer (with the increase in the depth of the ocean, less competition to feed, so new branches can specialize with different shapes) toward modifications of the marine ecosystems . This specimen comes from Morocco, and is dated from the end of Cretaceous, around 70 millions years old, and he lived with other ammonites like the one in the hands of the moustache guy!