Description
Beudanticeras (Beudanticeras) newtoni Fossil Ammonite
This listing is for a fine Beudanticeras (Beudanticeras) newtoni ammonite fossil from the Gault Clay Formation, dating to the Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous Period, approximately 125–113 million years old. Collected at Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom, this specimen represents one of the iconic ammonites of the British Cretaceous and is an important fossil for both collectors and researchers.
All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. The photographs show the exact ammonite you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube and rule squares included for accurate sizing.
Geological Context and Age
The Gault Clay Formation is a world-famous Lower Cretaceous deposit exposed along the cliffs and foreshore of Folkestone in Kent, UK. Dating to the Aptian–Albian stages, it is particularly noted for its extraordinary preservation of ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, gastropods, crustaceans, and occasional vertebrate remains. The fine-grained marine clays were deposited in a shallow shelf environment connected to the Tethys Ocean, allowing rich faunas to thrive.
Beudanticeras newtoni specifically belongs to the Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous, placing it at a crucial point in ammonite evolution when many lineages were diversifying and expanding across Europe. Fossils from Folkestone are highly regarded in both scientific literature and private collections due to their quality and accessibility.
Morphology and Distinctive Features
Beudanticeras (Beudanticeras) newtoni is a member of the family Desmoceratidae, within the superfamily Desmoceratoidea of the order Ammonitida. This species is characterised by its discoidal, moderately involute shell with gently rounded whorls and fine ribbing. The ribs are generally simple, but in some examples they strengthen towards the outer whorl, creating a subtle yet distinctive ornamentation.
The venter (outer rim) is smoothly rounded, and sutures are moderately complex, consistent with its placement within the Desmoceratidae. These features suggest a nektonic lifestyle, with Beudanticeras being an active swimmer in the open water column, preying on small crustaceans, fish, and other marine organisms.
Scientific Importance
As an ammonite of the Aptian stage, Beudanticeras newtoni is significant for biostratigraphy, serving as an important index fossil for dating Gault Clay sequences and correlating strata across Europe. Its presence in Folkestone deposits helps refine the local stratigraphic framework, making it invaluable for geological mapping and evolutionary studies.
The genus Beudanticeras also provides key insight into the adaptive radiation of desmoceratid ammonites during the Early Cretaceous. The combination of moderate ornamentation and streamlined shell design illustrates evolutionary strategies that allowed this group to thrive in open marine ecosystems.
Collector and Display Value
This Beudanticeras newtoni ammonite fossil from Folkestone, Kent, is both scientifically important and visually appealing. Its well-preserved shell structure and provenance from the famous Gault Clay make it highly desirable to collectors of British fossils.
For display, this specimen serves as a fascinating example of Early Cretaceous ammonite diversity. For educational purposes, it illustrates the role of ammonites as both predators and stratigraphic markers, making it an excellent teaching specimen for palaeontology.
Your Guarantee of Authenticity
- 100% genuine Beudanticeras (Beudanticeras) newtoni ammonite fossil from Folkestone, Kent, UK
- Geological age: Aptian stage, Early Cretaceous (approx. 125–113 million years old)
- Formation: Gault Clay Formation
- Family: Desmoceratidae, Order: Ammonitida
- Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity
- Exact specimen shown in photographs (no stock images used)
- Scale cube and rule squares = 1 cm (see images for accurate sizing)
This Beudanticeras newtoni ammonite fossil from the Gault Clay of Folkestone is a scientifically significant and beautifully preserved specimen. With its provenance, authenticity, and excellent preservation, it is a superb addition to any fossil collection.
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