Description
Amaltheus nodosus Ammonite Fossil
This genuine Amaltheus nodosus ammonite fossil is a collectible Lower Jurassic marine specimen from Lozère, Occitanie, France. Dating to the Upper Pliensbachian stage, this fossil represents a classic European ammonite from the ancient Jurassic seas that once covered parts of southern France. Amaltheus ammonites are highly valued by collectors for their elegant coiled shells, distinctive ribbing, keeled outer whorl and strong importance in Lower Jurassic biostratigraphy.
The specimen is a carefully chosen piece, with the photograph showing the actual fossil you will receive. It is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, making it an excellent choice for collectors of French fossils, Jurassic ammonites, natural history specimens, educational displays and geology cabinets.
Geology, Age and Locality
This fossil comes from the Upper Pliensbachian of the Lower Jurassic, an interval dating to approximately 190 to 184 million years ago. During this time, much of western Europe was covered by warm, shallow to moderately deep epicontinental seas connected to the wider Tethyan marine realm. These Jurassic seas supported a rich and varied marine ecosystem, including ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, crinoids, gastropods, fish and early marine reptiles.
The Lozère region of Occitanie, France is known for Jurassic sedimentary rocks that preserve fossil marine life from these ancient environments. Fine muds, silts and carbonate-rich sediments accumulated on the seabed, gradually burying shells and hard parts. Over millions of years, these sediments compacted and hardened into fossil-bearing rock, preserving ammonites such as Amaltheus nodosus as genuine natural history specimens.
French Jurassic ammonites are popular with collectors because they combine attractive preservation, classic European geology and strong palaeontological interest. A labelled specimen from Lozère provides excellent geographical provenance and makes a meaningful addition to any well-organised fossil collection.
Fossil Type and Species Details
Amaltheus nodosus is an ammonite, an extinct marine cephalopod related to modern squid, cuttlefish and nautilus. Ammonites lived inside coiled external shells divided internally into chambers. The living animal occupied the final body chamber, while the empty chambers helped regulate buoyancy as it moved through the water column.
The genus Amaltheus is one of the best-known ammonite groups from the Pliensbachian stage of the Lower Jurassic. Amaltheus ammonites are typically recognised by their compressed shell form, moderately open umbilicus, ribbed flanks and a distinct keel along the outer edge of the whorl. The species name nodosus reflects the nodose or knobbed character associated with the ornamentation, a feature that gives these ammonites strong visual appeal and scientific interest.
Amaltheus nodosus belongs to the family Amaltheidae, within the superfamily Eoderoceratoidea and the order Ammonitida. Amaltheid ammonites are important guide fossils for the Lower Jurassic, particularly the Upper Pliensbachian. Because ammonites evolved rapidly and were widely distributed across ancient seas, they are highly useful for dating and correlating marine rock layers across Europe.
Upper Pliensbachian Marine Environment
When this ammonite was alive, the area now known as Lozère formed part of a Jurassic marine setting. Ammonites such as Amaltheus nodosus were active swimming animals, moving through the water alongside belemnites, fish and other marine organisms. The seabed would have supported communities of bivalves, brachiopods, crinoids, gastropods and other invertebrates adapted to soft sediment and shell-rich habitats.
The shell of Amaltheus was both protective and functional. Its chambered structure allowed buoyancy control, while the ribs, nodes and keel helped strengthen the shell and gave the ammonite its distinctive form. These natural features are part of what makes Amaltheus ammonites so desirable to collectors, combining visual beauty with genuine geological importance.
Lozère, Occitanie, France
Lozère in southern France is a respected locality area for Jurassic marine fossils. Specimens from named regions such as this are valued because they preserve not only the fossil itself, but also its geological and geographical context. Clear provenance makes a fossil more meaningful for collectors, students and anyone interested in Earth history.
This Amaltheus nodosus ammonite from Lozère is suitable for display, study, teaching or adding to a themed collection of French fossils, Lower Jurassic ammonites or European marine life specimens. Its combination of recognised species, Upper Pliensbachian age and French locality provenance gives it strong collecting appeal.
Genuine Fossil with Certificate of Authenticity
This fossil is a genuine specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. Full sizing please see photo. The fossil shown in the photograph is the actual specimen you will receive, allowing you to buy with confidence and add a carefully selected, authentic Lower Jurassic ammonite fossil from France to your collection.
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