EXCEPTIONALLY RARE Fossil Ammonite Morrisiceras morrisi – Morrisi Zone, Great Oolite Series – Jurassic – Alice Purnell Collection

Description

EXCEPTIONALLY RARE FOSSIL AMMONITE – Morrisiceras morrisi – GREAT OOLITE SERIES – MORRISI ZONE – MIDDLE BATHONIAN, JURASSIC – MICHINHAMPTON, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM

This exceptional fossil specimen is a highly sought-after Morrisiceras morrisi, a species of ammonite found in the classic Middle Jurassic strata of southern England. Sourced from the Great Oolite Series of Michinhampton, Gloucestershire, this specimen originates from the Morrisi Zone of the Middle Bathonian Stage—a key biostratigraphic marker in British Jurassic geology.

The fossil is part of the Alice Purnell Collection and is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity. The photograph shows the exact specimen you will receive. A 1cm square rule cube is provided in the image for precise scaling.

GEOLOGICAL & TAXONOMIC DETAILS:

• Species: Morrisiceras morrisi
• Geological Period: Jurassic
• Stage: Middle Bathonian (~168–166 million years ago)
• Biozone: Morrisi Zone
• Formation: Great Oolite Series
• Locality: Michinhampton, Gloucestershire, England, UK
• Depositional Environment: Shallow marine carbonate platform – oolitic limestone and marl indicative of warm, low-energy shelf seas
• Family: Morphoceratidae
• Superfamily: Stephanoceratoidea
• Order: Ammonitida
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Phylum: Mollusca

MORPHOLOGY FEATURES:

Morrisiceras morrisi exhibits classic morphological characteristics useful for zonation and taxonomic identification:

• Moderately involute shell
• Strong, sinuous ribs crossing the flanks
• Whorl section typically rounded
• Slight keel and potential ventral groove
• Sutures well defined in larger or more mature specimens

Its distinctive ornamentation and stratigraphic placement make it a biostratigraphic index fossil for the Morrisi Zone.

NOTES ON SIGNIFICANCE:

• This species defines the Morrisi Biozone, which is used as a regional biostratigraphic marker throughout England and parts of northern Europe.
• Morrisiceras morrisi is a relatively rare ammonite outside of dedicated collections and is especially prized from Michinhampton, a historically important fossil locality.
• The Great Oolite Group is world-renowned for yielding some of the most complete and diverse marine Middle Jurassic fossil assemblages.
• This specimen’s provenance from the Alice Purnell Collection further enhances its pedigree and value.

SUMMARY:

• Species: Morrisiceras morrisi
• Zone: Morrisi Zone
• Formation: Great Oolite Series
• Age: Middle Bathonian (~168–166 Ma)
• Locality: Michinhampton, Gloucestershire, UK
• Preservation: Excellent, with clear diagnostic features
• Collection: Alice Purnell
• Authenticity: 100% Genuine – Certified
• Photo: Shows actual specimen with 1cm scale reference

A museum-quality ammonite fossil with high stratigraphic and aesthetic value—ideal for serious collectors, academic references, or heritage displays. Rarely offered for public sale, this is a true collector’s piece.