Euhoploceras modestus Ammonite Fossil Bajocian Jurassic Dorset UK Authentic Specimen COA

Description

Euhoploceras modestus Ammonite Fossil

This listing features a rare Euhoploceras modestus Ammonite Fossil from the Middle Bajocian stage of the Jurassic, collected at Burton Bradstock, Dorset, United Kingdom. Estimated to be around 168 million years old, this ammonite is a striking representative of a key Jurassic lineage. The specimen in the photographs is the exact fossil you will receive, displayed with a 1 cm scale cube for size reference. Every piece is guaranteed genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Context – Burton Bradstock, Jurassic Coast

This fossil was found at Burton Bradstock on the world-famous Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the most celebrated fossil-bearing stretches of coastline in the world. During the Middle Bajocian, the area formed part of a shallow epicontinental sea connected to the Tethys Ocean. Sedimentation here created oolitic limestones and calcareous mudstones, which preserved ammonites and other marine life in remarkable condition.

The Inferior Oolite Group, from which this specimen originates, is particularly significant for ammonite paleontology. Fossils from these layers are used extensively in biostratigraphy, forming the basis for many of the biozones that define the Bajocian stage. Burton Bradstock, along with other Dorset localities, has provided critical specimens for stratigraphic research since the 19th century.

Species Overview – Euhoploceras modestus

This specimen is identified as Euhoploceras modestus, part of the order Ammonitida, superfamily Stephanoceratoidea, and family Stephanoceratidae. Members of the genus Euhoploceras are recognised for their evolute shells with strong, prominent ribbing and distinctive tubercles or nodules at rib intersections.

Euhoploceras modestus is especially notable for its moderately ornate ribbing and its bold whorl cross-section. These features not only give the fossil great visual appeal but also make it a valuable diagnostic species for paleontologists. Its shell structure reflects an adaptation to active swimming in Jurassic seas, where it would have hunted smaller invertebrates as part of its nektonic lifestyle.

Paleontological Importance

Euhoploceras modestus is an important index fossil for the Middle Bajocian. Its distinctive morphology and restricted stratigraphic occurrence allow paleontologists to use it as a zonal marker within the Inferior Oolite sequence. This makes it vital for correlating Jurassic deposits across Europe and refining the global geologic timescale.

The species also represents the evolutionary success of the Stephanoceratidae family, a group that produced some of the most ornate and robust ammonites of the Jurassic. The ribbing and tuberculation of Euhoploceras are excellent examples of the evolutionary experimentation in shell morphology that made ammonites one of the most diverse and adaptive marine organisms of their era.

Collector’s and Educational Value

This Euhoploceras modestus ammonite fossil is a desirable addition to any collection of Jurassic ammonites, particularly for those focusing on British or Dorset material. Its provenance from Burton Bradstock enhances its scientific and historical importance, as fossils from this iconic locality are prized worldwide. Its strong ribbing and elegant form make it equally valuable for display purposes, while its role as a stratigraphic marker gives it great significance for educational use.

Guarantee of Authenticity

• 100% genuine Euhoploceras modestus ammonite fossil
• Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity
• The exact specimen shown in the photographs will be sent

This is a rare opportunity to acquire a scientifically important and beautifully preserved Euhoploceras modestus Ammonite Fossil from the Middle Bajocian of Burton Bradstock, Dorset, UK, a true piece of Jurassic Coast heritage.