Human-sized ammonites, measuring up to 1.8 meters in diameter, once roamed abundantly on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, according to a recent analysis published in the journal PLOS One. The discovery of these enormous ammonite fossils was made in Germany in 1895, and scientists believe that if a complete fossil were found, it could measure as big as 2.5 to 3.5 meters.
The Jura Museum in Germany, where the world-famous fossil is housed, is now able to tell the story of these ancient creatures. More than 154 ammonite fossils were examined, revealing a wide variation in size, from small to gigantic. Most of the larger species evolved during the Late Jurassic period.
What is particularly surprising is that large ammonites can be found on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Scientists have discovered unusually high numbers of adult ammonites in Britain and Mexico, suggesting that these locations may have served as breeding grounds for these creatures.
Christina Ifrim, a researcher and chief scientific officer at the Jura Museum, noted that these giant ammonites appeared at the same time on both sides of the Atlantic, indicating a connection between the two populations. Although ammonites resemble modern-day nautilus, they are actually more closely related to organisms such as octopus, squid, and cuttlefish.
This similarity in evolutionary lineage may provide a clue to ammonite behavior. Like many species of modern octopus and squid, it is possible that ammonites would breed or hatch successfully and then enter a process of dying. However, the question of how these creatures grew to such impressive sizes and appeared on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean remains unanswered.
One theory suggests that as the predators of the time grew bigger, ammonites had to evolve and grow bigger as well to protect themselves. Fossil evidence indicates that as ammonites reached their peak size, they gradually became smaller over time.
Unfortunately, ammonites, along with the dinosaurs, went extinct about 66 million years ago due to a meteorite impact. Today, their fossils serve as a window into the past, allowing scientists to learn more about these fascinating creatures.
Source: [PLOS One](source)
Photograph: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
How did ammonites evolve and grow to such impressive sizes and what factors contributed to their extinction
Human-sized ammonites, measuring up to 1.8 meters in diameter, once roamed abundantly on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, according to a recent analysis published in the journal PLOS One. The discovery of these enormous ammonite fossils was made in Germany in 1895, and scientists believe that if a complete fossil were found, it could measure as big as 2.5 to 3.5 meters.
The Jura Museum in Germany, where the world-famous fossil is housed, is now able to tell the story of these ancient creatures. More than 154 ammonite fossils were examined, revealing a wide variation in size, from small to gigantic. Most of the larger species evolved during the Late Jurassic period.
What is particularly surprising is that large ammonites can be found on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Scientists have discovered unusually high numbers of adult ammonites in Britain and Mexico, suggesting that these locations may have served as breeding grounds for these creatures.
The striking similarity between ammonites and modern-day nautilus has intrigued researchers. While ammonites resemble nautilus, they are actually more closely related to organisms such as octopus, squid, and cuttlefish.
This evolutionary connection may provide a clue to ammonite behavior. Like many species of modern octopus and squid, it is possible that ammonites would breed or hatch successfully and then enter a process of dying. However, the question of how these creatures grew to such impressive sizes and appeared on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean remains unanswered.
One theory suggests that as the predators of the time grew bigger, ammonites had to evolve and grow bigger as well to protect themselves. Fossil evidence indicates that as ammonites reached their peak size, they gradually became smaller over time.
Unfortunately, ammonites, along with the dinosaurs, went extinct about 66 million years ago due to a meteorite impact. Today, their fossils serve as a window into the past, allowing scientists to learn more about these fascinating creatures.
This article beautifully captures the awe-inspiring presence of ammonite fossils in oceans, reminding us of the astonishing wonders that once thrived beneath the surface.