Nostoceras malagasyense heteromorph ammonite

Nostoceras malagasyense heteromorph ammonite

A specimen of the fossil heteromorph Ammonite known as Nostoceras malagasyense from Belo Tsiribihina, near Tulear, Madagascar.

This piece isn't the best preserved, and has been coated with a protective resin or varnish which unfortunately does make it look a little bit shinier than you'd like.

A heteromorph is a form of ammonite which is quite unusual in that it does not have a tightly coiled round shell like most ammonoids; it can be uncoiled and occur in a few different shapes, including almost completely straight.