The Preservation of Body Tissues, Shell, and Mandibles in the Ceratitid Ammonoid Austrotrachyceras (Late Triassic), Austria

Abstract

For many years, the discovery of mandibles associated with the shells of ammonoids was considered important to paleobiology, and these occurrences were reported to the paleontological community. Such an association was reported by Trauth (1935b), who described and illustrated mandibles associated with the Late Triassic ceratitid ammonoid Austrotrachyceras. The specimens were discovered from the Carnian beds in the northern Calcareous Alps near Lunz (Lower Austria). Observation of his described and illustrated specimens and especially a detailed analysis of previously unstudied specimens from this locality has provided new insight into the preservation of ammonoids.