Ammonite

Ammonite from South Dakota, USA.

Ammonites

Ancient cousins of Octopuses, Cuttlefish and Squid  

Evolutionary Explanation:

Fossil range: 200–65.5 Ma

Prolonged evolutionary pressure from competition with newly evolved species, and secondly,   a catastrophic shortage in the availability of the plank tonic food sources on which their young are believed to have depended following the ecological impact of catastrophic climate change 65mya  ago is believed to have led to Ammonite extinction. 

Amazing facts!

Blue Blood:

Almost certainly Ammonites blood was blue like that of modern Octopuses whose blood uses a copper the based molecule to enable oxygen absorption.

The Ammonites Spiral:

The spiralling observable within Ammonites matches the ratio known as the Fibonacci series. A proportion found in the spiralling of the Milky Way, and inside the double helix of our DNA.  A signature written in a once living organism of both eternity and infinity.  

Symbolic Meanings:

Some people regard two halves of a single Ammonite as representative of togetherness in relationships. for every healthy relationship requires two halves and it is in the coming together of these sides that wholeness, commitment,  eternity and  infinity can be found.   .  When separated however, each half can be seen to carry eternity and infinity on the inside, hidden in the ratio shown within each Ammonites spiral patterning.   Just as when two people who love each other are parted each carries the wish for each others well-being deep within them.  

 

The Earliest submarines in the world!

Ammonites lived in the front section of their shell.   The remaining sections forming an adjustable floatation mechanism. Buoyancy within the chambers could be adjusted through alterations in the gas/fluid balance regulated via blood flow between the chambers. Like Octopus today they could also move sideways by squirting water from a tube near their mouth.  Palaeontologists are able to identify species by studying the ridge patterns on the shells of these ancient shell fish.

Vision:

Ammonite’s vision was reasonable though much simpler than ours. 

Hearing:

Evidence suggests Ammonites could sense vibration but not sound.