Neptuni

Neptuni is a genus of extinct ammonites that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 145 to 100 million years ago. The name Neptuni is derived from the Latin word "Neptune," the Roman god of the sea, and the plural suffix "-i," which is used in the Latin language.

Fossils of Neptuni have been found in marine sedimentary rocks around the world, including Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. These ammonites were characterized by their distinctive shell morphology, which included a large sutured body chamber and a strongly differentiated ventral profile.

Neptuni was a subfamily of ammonites within the family Phylloceratidae, which is a group of extinct cephalopods known for their tightly coiled shells and complex sutures. The subfamily Neptuni is thought to have evolved from the more primitive Eulyticera, and its fossils are found in a range of marine sediments, from shallow shelf environments to deeper basin settings.

Neptuni ammonites were likely epipelagic swimmers, inhabiting shallow waters above the shelf edge. Their shells were adapted for life in the pelagic zone, with a large body chamber and a distinctive suture pattern that allowed for efficient swimming and feeding behavior.

Several species of Neptuni have been described, including Neptuni seravallianum and Neptuni favrei. These species vary in terms of their shell morphology and sutural patterns, reflecting the adaptive diversity of these ancient cephalopods. Overall, the study of Neptuni provides valuable insights into the evolution and ecological diversity of ancient marine ecosystems.