Discohoplites Ammonite Fossil Rare Lower Albian Cretaceous Morocco Genuine COA

Description

Rare Discohoplites Ammonite Fossil from Morocco

This listing offers a rare Discohoplites ammonite fossil from the Lower Albian stage of the Early Cretaceous, discovered in Morocco. Dating to around 113–109 million years ago, this ammonite represents a fascinating and scientifically important species from the diverse Cretaceous marine ecosystems of North Africa. The specimen photographed is the exact fossil you will receive, carefully selected for quality and preservation. Every fossil is guaranteed authentic and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Age and Formation

The fossil originates from the Lower Albian stage of the Early Cretaceous period, a time when rising sea levels created extensive shallow marine environments across northern Africa. These warm, nutrient-rich seas supported abundant marine life, including ammonites, bivalves, fish, and marine reptiles. Ammonites such as Discohoplites thrived as both predators and prey within these ecosystems, and their rapid evolutionary changes make them valuable for biostratigraphy, allowing geologists to date and correlate rock layers with precision.

Scientific Classification

• Fossil Type: Ammonite
• Genus: Discohoplites
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Hoplitaceae
• Family: Hoplitidae
• Age: Lower Albian, Early Cretaceous (c. 113–109 million years ago)
• Locality: Morocco

Morphological Features of Discohoplites

Ammonites of the genus Discohoplites are renowned for their distinctive morphology and striking detail:

• Compressed, discoidal shell with relatively flat whorls and well-defined ribbing.
• Strong ornamentation, including ribs that radiate from the umbilical shoulder across the flanks.
• Keel development along the venter, giving the ammonite stability as it swam in the open water.
• Intricate suture patterns, formed by the internal walls of the shell chambers, which are often visible in well-preserved specimens.

These features indicate an active nektonic lifestyle, with the animal capable of efficient movement through the water column, likely preying on small crustaceans, molluscs, and planktonic organisms.

Paleoecological Importance

Discohoplites lived in the shallow epicontinental seas that covered much of North Africa during the Albian. These ammonites are significant for their role in defining biozones within the Lower Cretaceous, as their relatively fast evolutionary turnover allows paleontologists to pinpoint specific intervals of geological time.

The Moroccan deposits where this fossil was found are particularly well known for yielding exceptionally preserved ammonites, thanks to fine-grained sedimentary environments that buried shells rapidly and protected them from erosion.

Collector’s Value and Rarity

Specimens of Discohoplites are highly sought after by collectors due to their distinctive shell morphology and relatively limited geographic occurrence compared to more common ammonites. This fossil not only represents a beautiful natural specimen but also holds scientific and historical value, making it an ideal addition to both private collections and educational displays.

Unlike mass-market fossils from Madagascar or other regions, Albian ammonites from Morocco are comparatively rare on the market, and this makes each piece particularly desirable for collectors looking to expand their representation of Cretaceous cephalopods.

Key Details

• Fossil: Discohoplites Ammonite
• Age: Lower Albian, Early Cretaceous (c. 113–109 million years ago)
• Locality: Morocco
• Family: Hoplitidae
• Features: Discoidal shell, strong ribbing, keeled venter, complex sutures
• Authentic specimen with Certificate of Authenticity
• Exact fossil shown in photographs with 1 cm scale cube for reference

This is a rare chance to acquire a Discohoplites ammonite fossil from Morocco, a piece of deep geological history that captures the beauty and scientific significance of the Cretaceous seas.