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Hello all, Most of the belemnite hooks are found in Jurassic sediments (Germany, UK). Does anyone know if Cretaceous belemnite hooks are found? (from the Belemnitellidae family?). I know that in one book about the Cretaceous fossils in Rügen (Germany), belemnite hooks/hooklets are present (forgot the title of the book...). Kind regards, Ruben

Hello all Fossilcollectors! I went fossil hunting in Late-Cretaceous sediments of Limburg (NL). I found some belemnite rostra (Belemnoidea, family Belemnitida, Belemnitellidae) species Belemnitella cf. minor II (Christensen, 1995), Belemnella (pachybelemnella) sumensis/cimbrica, Belemnella (pachybelemnella) obtusa (Schulz, 1979) and (possible) Belemnitella junior (Nowak, 1913). These 'squid-pens' are made of calcite and formed a important part of the animals internal skeleton. Many of them are broken, but also some (almost) complete ones. One is embedded in chalk (with glauconite traces but not 100% sure) and others with chalk remains. Found from the above mentioned species never a complete phragmocone (still two almost complete or molds) or parts of the pro-ostracum (not one, very thin and brittle apparently). Also found one very small belemnite (juvenile?). Other then belemnites, I found a Steinkern of a sea-urchin (Echinocorys sp.) in a stream of water. All of the above mentioned fossils are 72-66 (broader indication) or 70-68/70-67 mya (exacter indication for some layers), years old. Late (late) Campanian, early Maastrichtian. For American collectors: you can collect the Cretaceous belemnite species Belemnitella americana (Morton, 1830) in New Jersey and/or Jurassic belemnites in Wyoming. For British collectors: many places to collect Jurassic belemnites like Cylindroteuthis sp. like places along the Jurassic Coast (Charmouth, Lyme Regis). Important: only search if allowed and follow the regulations. For collectors who are more interested in these ancient squid-like creatures and have some belemnites in their collection: see my written article in the latest number of The Ecphora. http://www.calvertmarinemuseum.com/204/The-Ecphora-Newsletter

Hello! Good afternoon to all! I have noticed that every year, the Chinese import tons of these supposed belemnites from Madagascar to resell over the internet. And now, I noticed that a Chinese seller announced on our favorite auction site that these belemnites are of the species belemnopsis tangarensis. My question is whether these belemnites of Madagascar are real even, and is there any scientific study that could actually define them as being of the belemnopsis tangarensis species? And what is the age in millions of years of these supposed belemnites? Thank you for all kind of help!