Anahoplites daviesi Ammonite Fossil Rare Gault Clay Albian Cretaceous Folkestone UK COA

Description

Rare Anahoplites daviesi Ammonite Fossil from Folkestone, UK

This is a rare and genuine Anahoplites daviesi ammonite fossil, collected from the famous Gault Clay Formation at Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom. Dating to the Albian Stage of the Lower Cretaceous (approximately 113–100 million years ago), this ammonite is an outstanding representation of Britain’s mid-Cretaceous marine life. Each specimen is carefully chosen for quality and authenticity and comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity. The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube included for precise measurement.

Geological Setting: Gault Clay and the Albian Seas

The Gault Clay Formation is one of the most important fossil-bearing units of the Lower Cretaceous. It was deposited in a shallow epicontinental sea during the Albian Stage, when much of southern England was submerged under warm, nutrient-rich waters. The fine-grained clay preserved marine life with remarkable detail, providing paleontologists with a window into ecosystems more than 100 million years old.

Folkestone is world-renowned for its Gault Clay exposures, yielding exceptional ammonites, bivalves, gastropods, and marine vertebrates. Anahoplites daviesi is a species used as an important index fossil within the Albian biostratigraphic framework, aiding in precise dating and correlation of Cretaceous strata across Europe.

Scientific Classification

• Fossil Type: Ammonite
• Genus: Anahoplites
• Species: daviesi
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Hoplitaceae
• Family: Hoplitidae
• Geological Age: Albian Stage, Lower Cretaceous (113–100 million years ago)
• Formation: Gault Clay
• Locality: Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom

Morphological Features of Anahoplites daviesi

Anahoplites daviesi displays a range of distinctive features that set it apart from other ammonite species of the Gault Clay:

• Compressed, discoidal shell form, with a smooth outline and well-defined ribbing.
• Strongly ribbed ornamentation across the flanks, with ribs extending uninterrupted to the ventral keel.
• Sharp ventral keel, improving streamlining and hydrodynamic function in open marine waters.
• Planispiral coiling, with regularly overlapping whorls and a balanced shell symmetry.
• Occasionally, ventrolateral nodes or tubercles are present, a feature often seen in members of the Hoplitidae.

These features demonstrate an adaptation to a fast-moving, nektonic lifestyle in the mid-water column, enabling Anahoplites daviesi to pursue prey efficiently.

Paleoecology and Ancient Marine Environment

During the Albian seas, Anahoplites daviesi thrived as a nektonic predator, preying on smaller molluscs, crustaceans, and other marine invertebrates. Its streamlined form and strong shell ornamentation made it well suited to an active lifestyle in the calm, muddy-bottomed seas where the Gault Clay was deposited.

Ammonites like Anahoplites played a vital role in the marine food chain, serving both as predators and prey for larger marine reptiles such as plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs. Their abundance and evolutionary diversity make them some of the most significant fossils in paleontology.

Collector’s Importance and Display Value

This specimen of Anahoplites daviesi is highly desirable for collectors of British fossils, Cretaceous ammonites, and rare index species. Its clear morphological detail, combined with its provenance from the world-famous Folkestone Gault Clay, makes it an exceptional display piece. The rarity of well-preserved examples of A. daviesi enhances its scientific and aesthetic appeal.

Because Folkestone fossils are increasingly difficult to obtain due to limited access and erosion, specimens such as this are becoming scarcer, making them excellent additions for both private collectors and educational collections. Its distinct ribbing and elegant coiling ensure it will stand out as a centrepiece fossil in any collection.

Key Details

• Species: Anahoplites daviesi
• Age: Albian Stage, Lower Cretaceous (113–100 million years ago)
• Formation: Gault Clay
• Location: Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom
• Features: Ribbed ornamentation, compressed shell, ventral keel
• Authenticity: 100% genuine specimen with Certificate of Authenticity
• Exact Specimen: The fossil pictured is the one you will receive
• Scale: 1 cm reference cube shown in photos

This rare Anahoplites daviesi ammonite fossil from the Gault Clay of Folkestone is a scientifically significant and visually striking specimen, perfect for any fossil enthusiast or serious collector.