Cadoceras Ammonite Fossil Genuine Jurassic Callovian Kellaways Beds Latton Quarry Cotswold Water Park Swindon UK with COA

Description

100% Genuine Cadoceras Ammonite Fossil

This listing is for a Cadoceras Ammonite Fossil from the Kellaways Beds, Callovian stage of the Jurassic period, discovered at Latton Quarry, Cotswold Water Park, Swindon, UK. The specimen pictured is the exact fossil you will receive, with a 1cm cube included for scale reference. Every fossil we sell is 100% genuine and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, giving you complete assurance of its authenticity and provenance.

Geological Background – Kellaways Beds, Callovian Stage

The Kellaways Beds are part of the Oxford Clay Formation, dating to the Callovian stage of the Middle Jurassic, around 165 million years ago. These deposits are well known for their marine fossils, particularly ammonites, bivalves, and occasional vertebrate remains. The sediments consist largely of clays, silts, and sands deposited in a shallow epicontinental sea that covered much of what is now southern England.

The depositional environment was a warm, shallow marine habitat where fine sedimentation created excellent conditions for fossil preservation. Ammonites from these beds are highly prized for their scientific importance and their ability to provide biostratigraphic markers for correlating Jurassic strata.

Fossil Type and Species – Cadoceras

Cadoceras is an extinct genus of ammonites belonging to the order Ammonitida, superfamily Stephanoceratoidea, and family Cardioceratidae. These ammonites are characterised by their strongly ribbed and tuberculate shells, which often display distinctive ornamentation across their whorls. The genus is an important index fossil for the Callovian stage, frequently used in the subdivision of Jurassic biozones.

Cadoceras was a nektonic carnivore, actively swimming through the Jurassic seas where it preyed on smaller invertebrates. Its chambered shell provided buoyancy control, and its morphology reflects the evolutionary adaptations of ammonites during this time period.

Morphology and Distinguishing Features

The Cadoceras ammonite displays an evolute shell with open whorls and prominent ribbing. Ribs often bifurcate (split) as they cross the flanks, terminating in nodes or tubercles along the outer margin. These features not only provided structural strength but also gave Cadoceras its distinctive appearance.

The suture lines of Cadoceras are complex, with intricately folded lobes and saddles typical of ammonites in the Cardioceratidae family. Fossils from Latton Quarry often show well-preserved ribbing and ornamentation, with ironstone or clay matrices highlighting the fine details of the shell.

Biozone and Scientific Importance

Cadoceras species are widely used as index fossils for the Callovian stage. Their restricted stratigraphic range and distinctive features make them vital tools for correlating Jurassic rock layers across Europe. Fossils from the Kellaways Beds are particularly significant for refining the biozonation of the British Callovian sequence, adding to their scientific and historical importance.

Collectors and Enthusiasts

For collectors, a Cadoceras ammonite fossil from Swindon represents a highly desirable specimen. Its distinctive ribbing, clear morphology, and important provenance from the Kellaways Beds make it both a visually striking display piece and a scientifically significant fossil. Collectors of British Jurassic ammonites particularly value specimens from Latton Quarry due to the exceptional preservation of many finds.

Why This Specimen is Special

• Genuine Cadoceras Ammonite Fossil
• From the Kellaways Beds, Callovian stage, Middle Jurassic (~165 million years old)
• Discovered at Latton Quarry, Cotswold Water Park, Swindon, UK
• Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity
• The exact specimen pictured will be sent
• 1cm cube shown for precise size reference

This Cadoceras Ammonite Fossil from the Kellaways Beds is an authentic piece of Jurassic history, uniting scientific importance with aesthetic appeal. Its strong ribbing, distinct morphology, and provenance from one of the UK’s key Jurassic fossil localities make it a remarkable addition to any fossil collection.