Dichotomoceras bifurcatoides Ammonite Gastropod Oxfordian France Fossil COA

Description

Dichotomoceras bifurcatoides Ammonite with Chemnitzia sp. Gastropod from Poitou, France

This genuine Dichotomoceras bifurcatoides ammonite with associated Chemnitzia sp. gastropod comes from Poitou, France, and dates to the Oxfordian Stage of the Upper Jurassic. It is a carefully chosen fossil specimen, supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. Full sizing can be seen in the photo, and the image shows the actual fossil specimen you will receive.

This is a highly interesting Jurassic association fossil, combining an ammonite and gastropod within the same specimen. Such examples are especially appealing to collectors because they preserve more than one type of ancient marine life, giving a broader glimpse into the ecosystem that existed in this part of France during the Late Jurassic.

Species and Scientific Interest

Dichotomoceras bifurcatoides is an extinct ammonite species belonging to the ammonoid cephalopods, a group of marine molluscs related to modern squid, cuttlefish and nautilus. Ammonites lived in ancient seas and produced coiled, chambered shells. The animal occupied the final body chamber, while the internal chambers helped regulate buoyancy.

Dichotomoceras is generally associated with the family Perisphinctidae, a major Jurassic ammonite family known for evolute coiling, strong ribbing and branching rib patterns. The genus name reflects the characteristic dichotomous, or forked, ribbing seen in many related forms. These rib patterns are important palaeontological features and help distinguish different ammonite groups within the Jurassic.

The associated Chemnitzia sp. gastropod adds further scientific and display interest. Chemnitzia is a fossil gastropod genus typically recognised by its tall, turreted shell form. Gastropods were an important part of Jurassic marine communities, living on or near the sea floor and contributing to the rich molluscan fauna preserved in these deposits.

Oxfordian Upper Jurassic Geology

This fossil dates to the Oxfordian Stage of the Upper Jurassic, approximately 157 to 164 million years old. During the Oxfordian, much of western Europe was covered by warm, shallow epicontinental seas. These marine environments supported abundant ammonites, gastropods, bivalves, brachiopods, echinoids, belemnites and other sea life.

The sediments of this period were deposited across ancient sea floors, where shells and organic remains could be buried and preserved. Ammonites from the Oxfordian are particularly important in biostratigraphy because their rapid evolution and wide distribution allow geologists to date and correlate rock layers. A specimen such as Dichotomoceras bifurcatoides therefore has both visual appeal and scientific value as a representative of Late Jurassic marine life.

Locality: Poitou, France

Poitou, in western France, is an important region for Jurassic fossils, with sedimentary rocks that record ancient marine environments from the Mesozoic Era. During the Late Jurassic, this region lay within a shallow sea setting where carbonate-rich and clay-rich sediments accumulated over time. These conditions preserved a diverse range of fossil molluscs, including ammonites and gastropods.

French Jurassic fossils are popular with collectors because of their variety, strong preservation and classic European palaeontological significance. A labelled specimen from Poitou is ideal for anyone building a collection of French fossils, Upper Jurassic ammonites, fossil gastropods or European marine fossils.

Morphology and Display Features

Dichotomoceras bifurcatoides typically displays a coiled planispiral shell with visible whorls and ribbed ornamentation. The ribs may divide or branch across the whorl, giving the ammonite a detailed and attractive surface pattern. These features formed part of the original shell structure and are important for both identification and display.

The Chemnitzia sp. gastropod provides a contrasting fossil form, with a more elongated shell shape compared with the coiled ammonite. Together, the two fossils create a natural association specimen that shows different body plans from the same ancient marine setting. Depending on preservation, the fossil may display natural cream, beige, grey, brown or iron-rich tones, along with matrix and surface textures formed during fossilisation.

Authenticity and Collector Appeal

This Dichotomoceras bifurcatoides ammonite with Chemnitzia sp. gastropod is a genuine Oxfordian Upper Jurassic fossil from Poitou, France. It includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, giving confidence to fossil collectors, geology enthusiasts, students and gift buyers.

With its named ammonite species, associated gastropod, Upper Jurassic age and classic French locality, this fossil would make an excellent addition to a Jurassic fossil collection, ammonite display, fossil mollusc collection, educational geology cabinet or natural history display.