Nipponites

Nipponites is an extinct genus of heteromorph ammonites. The species of Nipponites (primarily N. mirabilis) are famous for the way their shells form 'ox-bow' bends, resulting in some of the most bizarre shapes ever seen among ammonites. The ecology of Nipponites, as with many other nostoceratids, is subject to much speculation. Fossils of most species are found primarily in Upper Cretaceous-aged strata of Japan. N. mirabilis is found in Coniacian-aged strata of Japan and possibly Turonian-aged strata in Madagascar. N. bacchus is found in Upper Cretaceous Hokkaido. Two species are found exclusively outside Japan, N. sachalinensis, which is found in Upper Cretaceous strata of Sakhalin island, and Kamchatka peninsula, and N. occidentalis, which is found exclusively in Turonian-aged strata of Southern Oregon.