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FIGURE 1. Illustration of a typical ammonite
suture, with anatomical terms and orientations. 1.1 View of ammonoid shell,
facing the aperture. Sutures are divided into external (E), lateral (L),
umbilical (U), and internal (not shown) elements, moving from a ventral to
lateral to dorsal position. Diagram of shell is redrawn and modified from
Monks
and Palmer (2002, p. 44). 1.2 Ammonite suture pattern with key elements labeled.
The venter or outer central margin of the shell is indicated by an arrow; the
arrow points toward the aperture and soft body of the animal. Note that, given
this traditional orientation, the "right" suture (i.e., drawn to the right of
the arrow; labeled "RIGHT" in 1.1) actually represents the left side of the
ammonoid’s body. Portions of the suture line that fold up towards the aperture
are called saddles; portions that fold down toward the shell apex are called
lobes. Suture pattern is from Neogastroplites muelleri, USNM 129456,
digitized from
Reeside and Cobban (1960), figure 19f. 1.3 Close-up view of
portion of lateral element figured in 1.2. Subfolds on saddles are termed
folioles, while subfolds on lobes are termed lobules.
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