Fossils for Sale - High-quality BRITISH and WORLDWIDE Fossils. An impressive selection of fossils, including Ammonites, Trilobites, Belemnites, Fossil Fish, Fossil Shark Teeth, Fossilised Insects in Amber, Dinosaurs, and Reptiles. UK Fossils was formed in 1988 and collects and preps our own fossils in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, collecting fossils from Lyme Regis, Charmouth and Somerset. Our passion for fossils is reflected in our carefully curated collection, which includes some of the rarest and most unique specimens available.

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Xipheroceras

Xipheroceras is a genus of Lower Jurassic ammonites (dating to roughly 190 million years ago) that can occasionally be found around Charmouth on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast.
Like many ammonites of the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian stages, Xipheroceras thrived in shallow marine environments, leaving behind coiled, chambered shells commonly preserved in the region’s mudstones and shales.

1. Morphology
Xipheroceras typically has a moderately evolute shell (earlier whorls are partially visible) and exhibits strong, radiating ribs. The whorl cross-section can be sub-rounded or slightly compressed, with ribbing often culminating in small tubercles or nodes near the ventrolateral edges. Shell size varies, but small to medium specimens are most commonly found at Charmouth.

2. Preservation & Appearance
In the Charmouth area, Xipheroceras may be found in fine-grained shales or within nodules that preserve shell details. Some specimens show signs of pyritization (giving them a metallic sheen). This fine-grained environment helps retain detailed ribbing and ornamentation.

3. Geological Setting
The Charmouth Mudstone Formation—featuring shales, mudstones, and occasional limestone bands—hosts a variety of Early Jurassic fossils, including Xipheroceras. Coastal erosion and landslips along Charmouth’s unstable cliffs regularly expose new material on the foreshore.

4. Collecting Tips
Most Xipheroceras finds are made by examining loose material on the beach or carefully splitting nodules that have already fallen from the cliff. Look for characteristic ribbing when scanning through beach shingle. Always stay aware of tide times and cliff safety.

5. Scientific & Collector Interest
As an Early Jurassic genus, Xipheroceras is valuable for biostratigraphic dating and offers a snapshot of marine life during a key evolutionary interval. Its distinct shell ornamentation appeals to fossil collectors, and well-preserved specimens can illuminate growth patterns and marine predator-prey interactions.

In summary, Xipheroceras from Charmouth provides a fascinating insight into Lower Jurassic seas. Its robust ribbing, occasional pyritic luster, and relative frequency in cliff falls make it a noteworthy genus for both scientific study and casual collecting.