Acanthoceras rhotomagense Ammonite Fossil Cenomanian Cretaceous UK Authentic Specimen COA

Description

Acanthoceras rhotomagense Ammonite Fossil

This listing features a Acanthoceras rhotomagense Ammonite Fossil from the Cenomanian stage of the Late Cretaceous, collected at Eastbourne, Kent, United Kingdom. At around 95–100 million years old, this ammonite is one of the most iconic species of the early Late Cretaceous. The fossil in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube included for reference. All our fossils are 100% genuine and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Context – Cenomanian of Eastbourne, Kent

This ammonite was collected from the Cenomanian Chalk deposits near Eastbourne, a classic British locality within the White Chalk Subgroup. The Cenomanian represents the first stage of the Late Cretaceous and was characterised by high global sea levels and widespread marine deposition. Much of southern England was submerged beneath a warm, shallow epicontinental sea connected to the North Atlantic.

The chalks of Eastbourne are world-renowned for their excellent preservation of marine fossils, particularly ammonites. These deposits provide crucial evidence for understanding the paleoenvironmental conditions of the Cretaceous, including fluctuations in sea level, climate, and marine biodiversity. The Cenomanian–Turonian boundary exposed in Eastbourne is also a globally recognised stratigraphic reference point, used internationally to define this major geological transition.

Species Overview – Acanthoceras rhotomagense

The specimen is identified as Acanthoceras rhotomagense, belonging to the order Ammonitida, superfamily Acanthoceratoidea, and family Acanthoceratidae. This species is one of the most distinctive Cenomanian ammonites, with a large, evolute shell adorned by bold ribs and tuberculate ornamentation.

The shell typically exhibits strong primary ribs that may bifurcate, with prominent nodes or tubercles positioned along the ventrolateral shoulders. These features give Acanthoceras rhotomagense a striking and easily recognisable appearance. Its morphology suggests a nektonic lifestyle, with the animal actively swimming in open marine waters, preying on smaller invertebrates within the warm Cretaceous seas.

Paleontological Importance

Acanthoceras rhotomagense is an important index fossil for the Cenomanian stage of the Late Cretaceous. Its wide geographic distribution and restricted stratigraphic range make it invaluable for dating chalk deposits and correlating marine sequences across Europe and beyond.

The species also represents a key evolutionary development within the Acanthoceratidae, a family of ammonites that flourished during the Late Cretaceous. Its ornate ornamentation and robust shell reflect adaptations to predator-prey dynamics in Cretaceous marine ecosystems. Fossils of Acanthoceras also help paleontologists reconstruct paleoenvironmental conditions, including oceanic circulation and ecological diversity during the early Late Cretaceous.

Collector’s and Educational Value

This Acanthoceras rhotomagense ammonite fossil is highly desirable for both collectors and educators. For collectors, it represents a classic British ammonite species with strong historical and scientific importance. For researchers and educators, it serves as an excellent teaching specimen, highlighting ammonite morphology, biozonation, and the geology of the Chalk Group. Its provenance from Eastbourne, Kent, adds further significance, as this locality is internationally renowned for its stratigraphic importance.

Guarantee of Authenticity

• 100% genuine Acanthoceras rhotomagense ammonite fossil
• Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity
• The exact specimen shown in the photographs will be sent

This is a rare opportunity to acquire a scientifically important and beautifully preserved Acanthoceras rhotomagense Ammonite Fossil from the Cenomanian Chalk of Eastbourne, Kent, UK, a true piece of Britain’s Cretaceous fossil heritage.