Anton Schrammen (October 25, 1879 – August 25, 1955) was a German palaeontologist and geologist, best known for his extensive research on fossil sponges, particularly those from the Upper Cretaceous period of Northern Germany. His work significantly contributed to the understanding of the taxonomy and morphology of ancient marine life, especially the Hexactinellida (glass sponges) and Lithistida (desmosponge) groups.
Born in Hannover, Schrammen dedicated his academic career to the study of invertebrate fossils. He conducted detailed investigations into the rich fossil beds of his native region, meticulously collecting, classifying, and illustrating numerous specimens. His research was characterized by its thoroughness and precision, which led to the identification of many new species and a more robust classification system for fossil sponges.
Schrammen's most notable contributions are his two major monographs on Cretaceous sponges:
- ''Die Kieselspongien der oberen Kreide von Norddeutschland (I. Teil: Hexactinellida)'' (The Siliceous Sponges of the Upper Cretaceous of Northern Germany (Part I: Hexactinellida)), published in 1902.
- ''Die Kieselspongien der oberen Kreide von Norddeutschland (II. Teil: Lithistidae)'' (The Siliceous Sponges of the Upper Cretaceous of Northern Germany (Part II: Lithistidae)), published between 1910 and 1912.
These works are considered seminal in the field of palaeospongiography and remain important reference texts for researchers studying fossil sponges. His detailed descriptions and high-quality illustrations helped establish a foundational understanding of these organisms for future generations of palaeontologists. Schrammen's legacy lies in his pioneering efforts to systematically document and analyze the fossil sponge fauna of the Upper Cretaceous, providing insights into marine biodiversity and palaeoenvironments of that geological epoch.