Description
Rare Anahoplites planus Ammonite Fossil from Folkestone, United Kingdom
This listing offers a rare Anahoplites planus ammonite fossil, preserved within the world-renowned Gault Clay Formation of Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom. Belonging to the Albian stage of the Early Cretaceous period (approximately 113–100 million years ago), this specimen represents a remarkable piece of prehistoric marine life. Each ammonite fossil is an authentic relic of Earth’s history and is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity. The photographs show the exact specimen you will receive, ensuring transparency and accuracy for collectors.
Geological Setting: Gault Clay Formation
The Gault Clay Formation is one of the most important fossil-bearing strata in Britain and is globally significant for its abundance of well-preserved ammonites. Deposited in a marine shelf environment during the Early Cretaceous, this fine-grained clay is exceptionally fossiliferous and provides excellent detail preservation.
During the Albian, rising sea levels created widespread shallow marine habitats, allowing ammonites such as Anahoplites planus to thrive. Fossils from Folkestone’s Gault Clay have been studied for centuries and remain invaluable for biostratigraphy, helping scientists divide and correlate rock layers across Europe.
Scientific Classification
- Fossil Type: Ammonite
- Genus: Anahoplites
- Species: Anahoplites planus
- Order: Ammonitida
- Superfamily: Hoplitaceae
- Family: Hoplitidae
- Geological Age: Albian Stage, Early Cretaceous (approx. 113–100 million years ago)
- Formation: Gault Clay
- Locality: Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom
Morphology and Diagnostic Features
Anahoplites planus is characterised by a relatively compressed shell with fine ribbing and a generally smooth appearance compared to other hoplitid ammonites. Distinctive features include:
- Flat or slightly convex whorls, giving the species its name planus.
- Fine, straight ribs running across the flanks, often simple and unbifurcated.
- A more compressed venter, distinguishing it from other ammonite species with stronger ornamentation.
- Medium size with a relatively uniform whorl expansion, reflecting streamlined adaptation for active swimming.
These characteristics made Anahoplites planus a key species in Albian ammonite assemblages and an important marker fossil for stratigraphic correlation.
Paleoecology and Lifestyle
Ammonites such as Anahoplites planus were nektonic cephalopods, moving freely within the mid to upper water column of the ancient Cretaceous seas. They were active hunters, preying on small crustaceans, molluscs, and other marine organisms. Their hydrodynamic shell shapes allowed them to manoeuvre efficiently, while their intricate suture lines gave strength to the shell under marine pressure.
The seas of the Albian were rich ecosystems, supporting marine reptiles, fish, belemnites, and diverse molluscan fauna. Ammonites occupied an important niche in these food webs and evolved rapidly, producing many species in relatively short geological timeframes.
Collector Significance and Rarity
Specimens of Anahoplites planus from Folkestone are highly prized by both private collectors and academic institutions due to their clear morphological features and role as index fossils. Their relatively delicate ornamentation sets them apart visually, making them excellent display pieces as well as scientifically valuable specimens.
Owning an authentic ammonite fossil from Folkestone’s Gault Clay connects the collector to one of the most famous fossil localities in the world. Each specimen represents not just a moment in time, but also the evolutionary story of the Cretaceous seas.
Key Details
- Species: Anahoplites planus
- Age: Albian Stage, Early Cretaceous (approx. 113–100 million years old)
- Formation: Gault Clay
- Locality: Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom
- Features: Fine ribbing, flat whorls, compressed venter
- Authenticity: 100% genuine fossil with Certificate of Authenticity
- Exact Fossil: Photographs show the actual specimen you will receive
- Scale: 1 cm cube shown in photos for accurate sizing
This rare Anahoplites planus ammonite fossil from the Albian Gault Clay is a genuine and scientifically significant piece of natural history, offering both aesthetic appeal and valuable insight into the ancient seas of Cretaceous England.
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