Glorious Xipheroceras ziphus, width 8 cm, venter view, with spines mostly intact.
Purchased from Mike Marshall.

Since approximately the 1800s there have been single observations (d’Orbigny, … ),
since the 1960s (Makowski 1962, Callomon 1963),it was scientifically recognized that
there are certain ammonite shells, found in the same beds, that may be showing
signs of sexual dimorphism – usually with these specimen, the most inner whorls are
the same for the dimorphs, after that growth of the partners diverge, with one partner,
today assumed to be the female (= macroconch) showing continued growth and/or
changes in the sculpture of the shell, while the other, assumed to be the
male (= microconch) , remains relatively small with little sculptural changes.

One of the most obvious potential (we shall never know for sure…) dimorphic pairs is
Promicroceras / Xipheroceras.

Xipheroceras ziphus, width 8 cm, with spines mostly intact.
“Promicroceras” early growth stage clearly visible.

Promicroceras planicosta 23 mm. In this view the flattening of the ribs at the venter can be seen.

For about the first 15-20 mm, the whorls of Promicroceras and Xipheroceras are
indistinguishable, after that, Xipheroceras as the macroconch develops broader whorls,
strong spines and a change in ribbing, attaining sizes up to more than 30 cm
while Promicroceras as the microconch does not grow much beyond 30-40 mm,
never changing its sculpture.

The following species have been found at Robin Hoods Bay:

Xipheroceras ziphus (ZIETEN, 1830)

Cluster of 2 Xipheroceras ziphus, both 4 cm.
This one has a spine nearly fully preserved.

Cluster of 2 Xipheroceras ziphus, both 4 cm

Xipheroceras ziphus, 5 cm.
Not all specimen come as beautiful preserved as the other ones shown –
this was found on the bottom of a 20 cm deep seawater puddle…

Small 22 mm specimen of Xipheroceras ziphus.
When prepping, I thought this was a Promicroceras – until I found the first spine !

Small 22 mm specimen of Xipheroceras ziphus, venter view.
Broadening of the ribs on the venter clearly visible, also
the first spine & widening of the shell

On the first 15-20 mm the ammonite develops just like a Promicroceras, after
which the shell shows strong spines at about every 30-40 degrees and an otherwise
weakening of the ribs inbetween.
Spines stop at about 50-70 mm, only the weak ribbing continues.

Xipheroceras dudressieri (D´ORBIGNY, 1844)

Xipheroceras dudressieri, 6 cm. Holderness coast specimen, D. Pearson collection

Xipheroceras dudressieri, 6 cm, keel view. Holderness coast specimen, D. Pearson collection

Xipheroceras dudressieri, 8 cm. Somewhat crushed and oyster encrusted specimen from RHB

In contrast to X. ziphus, the ribbing of X. dudressieri continues well beyond the
“Promicroceras” stage, and the spines are nowhere near as strong, but on every rib .
EDMUNDS et al suggested a potential synonymy with X. planicosta as a
junior synonym, see literature.

Promicroceras planicosta (SOWERBY, 1814)

Promicroceras planicosta in typical nodule, ammonite diameter 22 mm

Promicroceras (2 small specimen), Xipheroceras (specimen in middle, 2 cm ) and Asteroceras blakei (6 cm)

Promicroceras is relatively common and can be found associated with Asteroceras and
of course Xipheroceras.
Promicroceras planicosta has about 24 ribs/whorl at 3 cm, and a characteristic
broadening/flattening of the ribs on the venter.

Promicroceras capricornoides (QUENSTEDT, 1884)

From a lower level (birchi – lower obtusum), occurs at RHB but has not been found by me yet –

it is characterized by less ribs/whorl (19 @ 3 cm vs 23-24 for planicosta) and a less pronounced

broadening/flattening of the ribs on the venter – something to go looking for next year !

Marston Magna specimen

Promicroceras and Xipheroceras from Marston Magna area. Xipheroceras approx 4 cm in width.

Xipheroceras and Promicroceras have been described in great detail from an excavation
in the Marston Magna area recently by
EDMUNDS,WHICHER, LANGHAM, CHANDLER (see literature).

This specimen was obtained through ebay as a comparison example for Promicroceras,
the later discovery of a well spined Xipheroceras was an added bonus !

Rarity (I´ve found less than 10 specimen in 27 years) and a potentially stunning
preservation make up the appeal of these ammonites, and there is certainly much still
to be learned about their evolution.

The beds in Robin Hoods Bay are not exposed often, and are protected as an
SSSI – only responsible collecting is allowed.

AndyS

Literature :

Callomon J.H. (1963), Sexual dimorphism in Jurassic ammonites // Trans. Leicester Liter., Philos. Soc. Vol. LVII. P. 21-56.

Makowski H. (1962), Problem of sexual dimorphism in ammonites // Paleont. Polonica. no.12. 92 p.

Makowski H. (1971), Some remarks on the ontogenetic development and sexual dimorphism in the Ammonoides // Acta geol. Pol. V.21. no.3. Р.321-340.

Palframan D.F.B. (1969), Taxonomy of sexual dimorphism in ammonites: morphogenetic evidence in Hecticoceras brightii (Pratt) // Int. Union of Geol. Sci. Ser.A. no.1. P.126-154.

Rollier L. (1913), Sur quelques Ammonoïdes Jurassiques et leur dimorphisme sexuel // Arch. Sci. Phys. et Natur. Geneve. Sér.4. T.XXXV. P.263-288.

Schlegelmilch R. (1992), Die Ammoniten des süddeutschen Lias, 2nd Ed, Gustav Fischer Verlag
Cope J. (1994), Preservation, sexual dimorphism and mode of life of some Sinemurian
ammonites // Palaeopelagos Special Publication I, Rome

Howarth M.K. (2002),  The Lower Lias of Robin Hood´s Bay, Yorkshire, and the work of Leslie Bairstow, Bulletin of The Natural History Museum Geology Series Vol. 58/2, London

Edmunds M., et al. (2016), A systematic account of the ammonite faunas of the Obtusum Zone (Sinemurian Stage, Lower Jurassic) from Marston Magna, Somerset, UK. Proc. Geol. Assoc.