Description
Cylindroteuthis puzosiana Belemnite from Peterborough, United Kingdom
Available here is a genuine Cylindroteuthis puzosiana fossil belemnite, dating from the Callovian Stage of the Middle Jurassic, approximately 166–163 million years ago. This specimen was discovered in the world-renowned Oxford Clay deposits of Peterborough, United Kingdom, a locality celebrated for producing some of the finest Jurassic marine fossils in Europe.
Each fossil is carefully selected for quality and authenticity. The item pictured is the exact specimen you will receive, displayed with a 1cm scale cube and rule squares for accurate sizing. All our specimens come complete with a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring provenance and peace of mind for collectors.
Geological Age and Provenance
The Callovian Stage is part of the Middle Jurassic and is associated with rich shallow marine environments that covered much of Britain during this time. The Oxford Clay Formation near Peterborough is especially significant, yielding an extraordinary diversity of marine life including ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, fish, and marine reptiles such as plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs.
The preservation conditions in this clay are exceptional, allowing fine detail of belemnite guards (rostra) to be retained. Specimens like Cylindroteuthis puzosiana are scientifically valuable, both for understanding cephalopod evolution and for their role as biostratigraphic markers.
Fossil Type and Scientific Classification
- Genus: Cylindroteuthis
- Species: Cylindroteuthis puzosiana
- Order: Belemnitida
- Superfamily: Belemnitoidea
- Family: Belemnitidae
Belemnites were squid-like cephalopods related to modern squid, cuttlefish, and octopus. Unlike their soft-bodied relatives, they possessed a robust internal skeleton. The solid guard, or rostrum, is the most commonly preserved element and provides the fossil evidence we see today.
Morphological Features
This specimen of Cylindroteuthis puzosiana exhibits the diagnostic features of the species:
- Elongated Cylindrical Guard: True to its name, Cylindroteuthis is characterised by its long, cylindrical rostrum.
- Smooth Surface: Typically unornamented, with subtle growth lines visible in some specimens.
- Well-Defined Alveolus: The anterior cavity where the phragmocone (chambered portion of the shell) was attached.
- Tapered Apex: A streamlined point, reflecting its adaptation for fast swimming.
These features made the animal a highly efficient predator, capable of swift movement through Jurassic seas.
Scientific and Collector Importance
Cyclindroteuthis puzosiana is a key index fossil for the Callovian Stage, helping palaeontologists date and correlate sedimentary layers across Europe. Its consistent morphology and stratigraphic range make it one of the most recognisable belemnite species of the Oxford Clay.
For collectors, specimens from Peterborough carry significant prestige due to the locality’s historical role in British palaeontology. The Oxford Clay has been studied for over two centuries, contributing to many scientific breakthroughs. Owning a specimen from this classic site provides both scientific context and collectible value.
Display and Educational Value
This fossil is not only a striking natural object but also a powerful educational resource. Its shape and structure clearly demonstrate the adaptations of belemnites as agile marine hunters of the Jurassic seas.
Ideal for private collectors, educational institutions, or museum displays, this Cylindroteuthis puzosiana fossil belemnite from Peterborough combines visual elegance, scientific importance, and historical provenance, making it an outstanding addition to any fossil collection.
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