Fossil Ammonite Catasigaloceras planicerclus Genuine Jurassic Lower Callovian UK

Description

Genuine Jurassic Fossil Ammonite – Catasigaloceras planicerclus

This listing is for a beautifully preserved Fossil Ammonite of the species Catasigaloceras planicerclus from the Lower Callovian, Jurassic Period, discovered at South Cave, Yorkshire, United Kingdom. This specimen offers a fascinating glimpse into marine life approximately 164–166 million years ago, during a time when much of what is now Britain lay beneath warm shallow seas. Every detail of this fossil tells a story of ancient ocean ecosystems and the incredible diversity of ammonites that flourished within them.

The Species – Catasigaloceras planicerclus

Catasigaloceras is a genus of extinct ammonites belonging to the Order Ammonitida, Superfamily Stephanoceratoidea, and Family Perisphinctidae. These ammonites are notable for their distinctive coiled shells, which display strong ribbing and planispiral symmetry. The species planicerclus is characteristic of the Lower Callovian biozone and is used as a stratigraphic marker by paleontologists for dating Jurassic deposits. Its finely ribbed shell, compressed whorls, and elegant coiling are classic features of ammonites from this lineage, making it a highly desirable piece for collectors and researchers alike.

Geological Context – Lower Callovian, Jurassic Period

This specimen originates from the Lower Callovian stage of the Middle Jurassic, approximately 164–166 million years ago. The Callovian seas of Britain were rich in marine life, with ammonites, bivalves, and marine reptiles inhabiting a thriving ecosystem. South Cave in Yorkshire is a well-documented locality for Jurassic ammonites, where fossil-bearing strata provide remarkable preservation of these ancient cephalopods. The depositional environment was a shallow epicontinental sea, with fine marine sediments that enabled the preservation of delicate shell features.

Morphological Features

This ammonite fossil displays the classic hallmarks of Catasigaloceras planicerclus:

• Planispiral shell form with tightly coiled whorls.
• Fine ribbing and growth lines that run across the surface, demonstrating its characteristic ornamentation.
• Compressed whorl cross-section, typical of species in this genus.
• Evidence of sutures, the intricate junctions between shell chambers, which reflect the evolutionary adaptations of ammonites for buoyancy regulation.

The scale rule in the accompanying photograph provides exact measurements, with each square/cube representing 1 cm, ensuring clarity of size and proportion.

Scientific Importance

Ammonites such as Catasigaloceras planicerclus are more than collector’s fossils – they serve as critical biostratigraphic index fossils, used by geologists to date and correlate Jurassic rock layers across Europe. Their rapid evolutionary changes and widespread distribution make them invaluable for understanding the geological timescale. Specimens from the Callovian are particularly important in defining the biozones of the Middle Jurassic.

Collector’s Piece with Authenticity Guaranteed

This ammonite fossil has been carefully selected for both its scientific and aesthetic value. The piece shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive, chosen for its preservation and geological significance. Every purchase includes a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing that this is a 100% genuine fossil specimen.

Why Add This Fossil to Your Collection?

• An authentic Jurassic ammonite fossil from a classic UK locality.
• Represents the species Catasigaloceras planicerclus, a significant Callovian index fossil.
• Excellent educational and display value, connecting science, history, and natural beauty.
• Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity for complete assurance.

Owning this specimen means holding a piece of Earth’s deep past, a relic of Jurassic seas that once covered Yorkshire. It is a genuine fossil of outstanding quality, ideal for collectors, enthusiasts, or as a unique natural history display.