Dactylioceras Fossil Ammonite Toarcian Jurassic Lyme Bay Dorset UK Genuine Specimen

Description

Genuine Dactylioceras Fossil Ammonite from Dorset

This listing features a beautifully preserved Dactylioceras fossil ammonite, originating from Lyme Bay, Dorset, United Kingdom. Dating back to the Toarcian Stage of the Jurassic Period (approximately 182–174 million years ago), this authentic specimen represents a remarkable snapshot of ancient marine life from the famous Jurassic Coast of England. Every fossil we sell is 100% genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring its value and provenance. The photos provided show the exact fossil you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube included for size reference.

Geological Context and Age

The specimen comes from Lyme Bay, a locality that forms part of the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site. The exposed strata along this coastline preserve a continuous geological record from the Triassic through the Cretaceous, making it one of the most important paleontological regions in the world.

This fossil originates from the Toarcian Stage of the Early Jurassic, which lasted from around 182 to 174 million years ago. The Toarcian is well known for its abundant ammonite faunas, which play a critical role in biostratigraphy, enabling geologists to date and correlate marine sediments across large regions. Dorset is one of the best-documented sources of Toarcian ammonites, with the Blue Lias and overlying deposits yielding exquisitely preserved specimens.

Scientific Classification

• Species/Genus: Dactylioceras sp.
• Family: Dactylioceratidae
• Superfamily: Dactylioceratoidea
• Order: Ammonitida
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Age: Toarcian Stage, Early Jurassic (~182–174 million years ago)
• Locality: Lyme Bay, Dorset, United Kingdom

Morphological Features

Dactylioceras is one of the most iconic and easily recognisable ammonite genera. Its shell is generally evolute, meaning the whorls are not deeply enveloped, with ribs extending strongly and regularly across the flanks. These ribs often bifurcate, giving the shell a strikingly patterned appearance. The venter (outer edge) is typically keeled, contributing to its hydrodynamic shape, which helped the animal move efficiently through the water.

These distinct ribbed patterns not only give the fossil its beauty but also serve as important identifiers in distinguishing Dactylioceras from related ammonite genera. Its robust shell form also makes it one of the most frequently collected ammonites along the Dorset coast.

Paleoenvironment and Ecology

During the Toarcian, southern Britain was covered by shallow seas that teemed with marine life. Ammonites like Dactylioceras were nektonic predators, using their chambered shells for buoyancy control and their tentacles to capture prey such as small fish, crustaceans, and planktonic organisms. The Lyme Bay area was part of a broad epicontinental sea where fine sediments accumulated, providing excellent conditions for fossil preservation.

These ammonites also lived during a time of significant environmental changes, including the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event, when widespread oxygen depletion in the oceans led to unique patterns of fossil preservation in black shales. Such events contributed to the exceptional fossil record of this period.

Collectability and Scientific Importance

A Dactylioceras ammonite from Lyme Bay is a classic addition to any fossil collection. This species is not only aesthetically appealing due to its ribbed whorls and coiled shell but also historically and scientifically significant as a marker fossil. Its presence is a defining characteristic of Toarcian-age strata in Europe and beyond.

• Type: Fossil Ammonite – Dactylioceras sp.
• Geological Stage: Toarcian, Early Jurassic (~182–174 million years ago)
• Provenance: Lyme Bay, Dorset, United Kingdom
• Scale Reference: 1 cm cube visible in photos
• Authenticity: Guaranteed genuine with Certificate of Authenticity
• Specimen Guarantee: The fossil shown in the listing is the exact specimen you will receive

This ammonite fossil provides both scientific value and natural beauty, making it ideal for collectors, educators, or anyone fascinated by the ancient marine life of the Jurassic seas.