Mercaticeras

The genus name Mercaticeras derives from Michele Mercati (a Tuscan physician who lived in the 16th century, superintendent of the Vatican Botanical Gardens) and ceras = horn, therefore the genus name means horn of Mercati.[1]

Mercaticeras shows a subquadratic section, sometimes wider than high. The shell is averagely evolute, with a spiral that grows more rapidly in the internal whirls. It is adorned by sturdy, clavate, simple ribs. The suture is simple.[1]

These ammonites lived in the Jurassic, lower Toarcian age (age range: 182.0 to 175.6 million years ago).[2] Fossils of this genus can be found in Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Morocco, Spain and Tunisia.[3]

Species within this genus include:[3]

• † Mercaticeras dilatatum Meneghini 1883
• † Mercaticeras dilatum Meneghini 1883
• † Mercaticeras hellenicum Renz 1906
• † Mercaticeras humeralis Merla 1933
• † Mercaticeras mercati Hauer 1856
• † Mercaticeras rursicostatum Merla 1932
• † Mercaticeras thyrrenicum Fucini 1905
• † Mercaticeras umbilicatum Buckman 1913

List of ammonite genera

• Mindat.org