Amaltheus nodulosus Ammonite Fossil France Pliensbachian with COA

Description

Genuine Amaltheus Ammonite Fossil

This genuine ammonite fossil is identified as Amaltheus nodulosus and comes from Lozère in Occitanie, France. It dates to the Upper Pliensbachian Stage of the Lower Jurassic and is a carefully selected European specimen with valuable species, age, and regional provenance. The photographs show the actual fossil offered for sale, so the ammonite pictured is the exact specimen you will receive.

Amaltheus was an extinct marine cephalopod with a coiled, chambered shell. As it grew, the animal added progressively larger chambers around the outer whorl. The living ammonite occupied the final body chamber, while the older sealed chambers helped regulate buoyancy. Ammonites were relatives of living squid, cuttlefish, and nautiluses, although they formed their own extinct and highly diverse group.

Upper Pliensbachian Lower Jurassic Age

The Pliensbachian is a stage within the Early Jurassic Period, approximately 193 to 184 million years ago. During the later part of this interval, marine environments extended across large areas of Europe and supported rich ammonite communities alongside bivalves, brachiopods, belemnites, and other sea life. After death, an ammonite shell could settle on the sea floor and become buried within sediment. Compaction, mineralisation, and geological change then preserved parts of the shell as a fossil.

Ammonites evolved rapidly and were widely distributed through Jurassic seas. Their changing shell forms make them valuable index fossils, helping geologists compare sedimentary layers and determine relative ages. Amaltheus is particularly characteristic of later Pliensbachian successions, so the documented age provides this specimen with a clear place in Lower Jurassic geological history.

Lozère, Occitanie Provenance

Lozère lies within the Occitanie region of southern France, an area with sedimentary rocks that record important episodes of Jurassic marine history. A specimen with documented regional provenance carries more collecting and educational context than an entirely unlocalised fossil. It can complement a collection arranged by European country, French region, Jurassic stage, ammonite genus, or ancient marine environment.

Sediment deposited in the ancient sea protected portions of the shell and surrounding matrix. Natural colour, mineral texture, small breaks, areas of wear, and differences in surface preservation reflect the fossil’s long geological history. These are authentic characteristics of an ancient specimen rather than signs of modern manufacture.

Shell Form and Collectable Detail

Amaltheus ammonites are well known for their ornamented shells, often displaying strong ribs and a distinctive keel around the outer margin. The species name nodulosus refers to the nodular or strengthened character of parts of the ornament. Examine the photographs for visible whorls, ribbing, shell outline, keel, matrix, and preserved surface details on this individual example.

Rib strength, whorl proportions, umbilical width, and changes in ornament around the shell are features used when comparing ammonites and interpreting growth. Every fossil preserves a different balance of original shell, mineral replacement, and surrounding rock. The multiple photographs show the exact piece from useful angles and present its condition, proportions, texture, and natural display character more accurately than a generic image could.

Exact Specimen and Full Sizing

Full sizing is shown in the photographs, which provide the best scale information for this individual fossil. The images are not stock photographs and do not represent a similar example. They show the exact Amaltheus nodulosus ammonite fossil that will be supplied.

Authenticity and Presentation

This is a genuine fossil specimen and includes a generic Certificate of Authenticity card with a lifetime guarantee. It has been carefully chosen for its identifiable ornamented shell, Upper Pliensbachian age, Lozère locality, French provenance, and natural geological character. It makes a distinctive addition to a cabinet collection, educational display, office, study, or gift for anyone interested in authentic Lower Jurassic fossils, French palaeontology, or ammonite evolution.