4.5″ Fossil Ammonite Eopachydiscus laevicaniculatus Albian Cretaceous Ft Worth Texas USA

Description

Rare 4.5″ Fossil Ammonite – Eopachydiscus laevicaniculatus

Presented here is a superb 4.5-inch fossil ammonite, Eopachydiscus laevicaniculatus, dating from the Albian stage of the Cretaceous period, approximately 110 million years old. This remarkable specimen was discovered near Fort Worth, Texas, USA, an area well known for its Cretaceous marine deposits. Every detail of this fossil has been naturally preserved, making it both a scientifically valuable specimen and a striking collector’s display piece. The exact fossil photographed is the one you will receive, and it is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Setting – Albian Stage, Cretaceous of Texas

The Albian stage marks an important interval in the Early Cretaceous, spanning roughly 113 to 100 million years ago. During this time, large parts of Texas were submerged beneath the Western Interior Seaway, a vast inland sea that stretched from the Gulf of Mexico through North America.

The Fort Worth region exposes formations deposited in these warm, shallow seas, containing abundant marine fossils including ammonites, bivalves, echinoids, and marine reptiles. Ammonites such as Eopachydiscus are vital index fossils, helping geologists to correlate layers across wide geographic areas due to their rapid evolutionary changes and widespread distribution.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Desmocerataceae
• Family: Pachydiscidae
• Genus: Eopachydiscus
• Species: Eopachydiscus laevicaniculatus

This classification places the specimen within the Pachydiscidae, a family of large, thick-shelled ammonites characteristic of the Cretaceous seas.

Morphological Features

The Eopachydiscus laevicaniculatus is distinguished by several notable traits:

• Large, thick shell with a robust structure, well suited to life in open marine environments.
• Slightly involute coiling, producing a compact form with a deep umbilicus.
• Smooth to weakly ribbed shell ornamentation, giving the species its characteristic appearance.
• Defined suture patterns, displaying the intricate lobes and saddles typical of ammonites.

These features make it a classic representative of Cretaceous pachydiscid ammonites and a fine study specimen for collectors and palaeontologists alike.

Palaeoecology and Lifestyle

Ammonites such as Eopachydiscus laevicaniculatus were nektonic predators, actively swimming in the Cretaceous seas. Their chambered shells functioned as buoyancy devices, allowing them to control depth in the water column. They likely preyed on smaller marine creatures such as crustaceans, molluscs, and planktonic organisms.

The Albian seas of Texas were rich ecosystems, supporting diverse marine faunas that thrived in warm, shallow waters. The presence of large ammonites such as this reflects both the abundance of marine life and the complexity of the food webs of the time.

Collector and Display Value

This 4.5-inch ammonite fossil from Texas is an exceptional collector’s item, notable for its preservation, size, and provenance. Fossils of Eopachydiscus are highly sought after due to their association with the Western Interior Seaway, a palaeogeographic feature of global importance. Its robust shell and distinctive form make it ideal for educational display, personal collections, or as a centrepiece of geological interest.

Provenance and Guarantee

• Species: Eopachydiscus laevicaniculatus
• Age: Cretaceous, Albian (~110 million years old)
• Formation/Deposit: Marine deposits of the Western Interior Seaway
• Locality: Fort Worth, Texas, USA
• Size: 4.5 inches across

Every fossil we supply is 100% genuine, carefully sourced, and sold with a Certificate of Authenticity. The specimen shown in the photographs is the exact one you will receive.

This rare Eopachydiscus laevicaniculatus ammonite fossil from Fort Worth, Texas is an extraordinary example of Early Cretaceous life, making it an invaluable addition for collectors, educators, or natural history enthusiasts.