Description
Genuine Ataxioceras lothari Ammonite Fossil from Geisingen, Germany
A genuine Ataxioceras lothari ammonite fossil from Geisingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, collected from the Lower Kimmeridge Clay Formation of the Upper Jurassic. This carefully chosen fossil dates to the Lower Kimmeridgian, specifically the lothari Subzone, making it an accurately labelled and highly collectable example of a Late Jurassic European ammonite.
This fossil is a genuine specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. Full sizing can be seen in the photo, and the photograph shows the actual fossil you will receive. It is an excellent specimen for collectors of ammonites, German fossils, Upper Jurassic marine life, stratigraphically labelled fossils, and natural history display pieces.
Fossil Type and Species Information
Ataxioceras lothari is an ammonite, an extinct marine cephalopod related to modern squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus. Ammonites lived in ancient seas and possessed coiled, chambered shells. The living animal occupied the outer body chamber, while the internal chambers helped regulate buoyancy as it moved through the water column.
The genus Ataxioceras is a well-known Upper Jurassic ammonite group, especially associated with Kimmeridgian marine deposits in Europe. Ataxioceras ammonites are recognised for their coiled planispiral shells, ribbed ornamentation, visible whorl structure, and often variable rib patterns. Depending on preservation, this specimen may show curved ribs, branching ribbing, a defined umbilicus, and the natural spiral architecture that makes ammonites such iconic fossils.
Ataxioceras belongs to the family Ataxioceratidae, within the superfamily Perisphinctoidea and the order Ammonitida. The species lothari is especially interesting because it gives its name to the lothari Subzone, adding strong scientific and collector value to the specimen.
Upper Jurassic Lower Kimmeridgian Age
This fossil dates to the Lower Kimmeridgian Stage of the Upper Jurassic, approximately 155 million years old. During the Kimmeridgian, large areas of Europe were covered by warm, shallow to moderately deep marine seas. These ancient waters supported a diverse ecosystem of ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoids, fish, and marine reptiles.
Ammonites are among the most important fossils for Jurassic dating because they evolved rapidly and were widely distributed across ancient seas. Their distinctive shell shapes allow geologists to divide rock sequences into zones and subzones with impressive precision. A specimen from the lothari Subzone therefore carries more detailed geological information than a broadly labelled Jurassic ammonite.
Lower Kimmeridge Clay Formation
The Lower Kimmeridge Clay Formation represents marine sediment deposited during the Late Jurassic. Clay-rich and marl-bearing sediments accumulated on the seabed, often in relatively quiet-water conditions where fine mud settled over shells and organic remains. Over millions of years, these deposits were compacted and lithified, preserving fossils such as ammonites as part of the geological record.
The Kimmeridge Clay is famous across parts of Europe for its fossil content and its importance in understanding Late Jurassic marine environments. Ammonites from this formation are especially valued because they provide reliable biostratigraphic markers and offer a direct link to the marine ecosystems of the Kimmeridgian seas.
Geisingen and Baden-Württemberg Locality
Geisingen, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, lies within a region known for fossil-bearing Jurassic strata. Southern Germany has a long history of geological research, and its Jurassic formations have produced many important ammonites and other marine fossils. The area’s sedimentary rocks record ancient sea conditions from a time when much of central Europe was covered by broad marine basins.
A fossil from Geisingen with a precise Lower Kimmeridgian and lothari Subzone attribution is particularly appealing for collectors who value accurate locality and stratigraphic information. German Jurassic ammonites are widely collected due to their scientific interest, attractive preservation, and strong connection to classic European palaeontology.
Morphology and Display Appeal
Ataxioceras lothari is a desirable ammonite for display because it combines a named species, classic ribbed ammonite form, Upper Jurassic age, and precise German provenance. The fossil may show natural whorl overlap, ribbing across the flanks, shell curvature, and the characteristic coiled form of a Late Jurassic cephalopod.
This specimen would make an excellent addition to a fossil cabinet, study display, classroom collection, museum-style arrangement, or European Jurassic fossil collection. Its combination of species identification, formation, stage, subzone, and locality gives it strong educational and collector appeal.
Authenticity and Specimen Details
This is a genuine Ataxioceras lothari ammonite fossil from the Lower Kimmeridge Clay Formation, Upper Jurassic, Lower Kimmeridgian, lothari Subzone, collected from Geisingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card.
The fossil shown in the photograph is the actual carefully chosen specimen you will receive. Full sizing can be seen in the photo, allowing buyers to view the true scale, preservation, shape, and display character of this authentic German Jurassic ammonite.
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