Examples of four different 3D models of nautiloids.

Virtual Collection: Subclass “Nautiloidea”

This virtual collection was last curated by Jaleigh Pier on August 16, 2019. Creative Commons License Each model is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Unless otherwise indicated, each model was created by Emily Hauf using specimens at the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York.

An associated section about the Subclass "Nautiloidea" is now available on the Digital Encyclopedia of Ancient Life.

Order Nautilida


Modern specimen of the chambered nautilus cephalopod Nautilus pompilius from the Philippines (PRI 70573). Specimen is from the collections of the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York. Maximum dimension of specimen is approximately 17.5 cm.


Fossil specimen of the nautiloid cephalopod Eutrephoceras dekayi from the Cretaceous Pierre Shale of the Black Hills of South Dakota (PRI 44557). Specimen is from the collections of the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York. Maximum diameter of specimen is approximately 6 cm.


Fossil specimen of the Devonian cephalopod Tetranodoceras transversum from the Marcellus Shale (Cherry Valley Limestone Member) of Cayuga County, New York (PRI 5365). Specimen is from the collections of the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York.


Fossil specimen of the nautiloid cephalopod Casteroceras alternatum from the Devonian Marcellus Shale (Cherry Valley Limestone Member) of Madison County, New York (PRI 5363). Specimen is part of the type and figured collections of the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York. 


The fossil nautiloid cephalopod Aturia quartinoi from the Eocene La Meseta Formation of Seymour Island, Antarctica (PRI 59499, part). Specimen is from the research collections of the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York. Maximum diameter of concretion is approximately 6.5 cm. 

Order Actinocerida


Fossil specimen of the cephalopod Actinoceras beloitense from the Ordovician Platteville Limestone of Ogle County, Illinois (PRI 70326). Specimen is from the collections of the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York. Length of specimen is approximately 9 cm.

Order Orthocerida


Fossil specimen of the orthocerid cephalopod Treptoceras cf. duseri from the Ordovician Richmondian Stage of Cincinnati, Ohio (PRI 45492). Specimen is from the collections of the Paleontological Research Institution. Maximum length of specimen is approximately 17 cm.


Fossil specimen of the cephalopod Spyroceras sp. from the Devonian of Onondaga County, New York (PRI 70598). Specimen is from the collections of the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York. Length of specimen is approximately 4.5 cm.