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Still veiled in mystery, the evolutionary benefit of the uncoiled form is still not fully understood. It may have been that this species inhabited the benthic zone, and thus did not require a form suited to swimming. The spiny defences would therefore have been necessary to protect a slow moving animal on the sea floor.
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Sculpted by Nature: Fossils, Minerals and Meteorites
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Condition report
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The condition of lots can vary widely and the nature of the lots sold means that they are unlikely to be in a perfect condition. Lots are sold in the condition they are in at the time of sale.
Both spiny ammonites are in very good condition with spines intact, noting some repaired as is always the case when excavating from this location given the fragile nature of the species. Both appear to have been reapplied to their original (?) matrix, whose surface has been touched up with cracks from excavation repaired. The lower ammonite has a chip to two spines, but this does not detract from overall appearance. There is some ware to the bottom of the free-standing matrix but this will not detract from the quality of the display.