Fossil Ammonite Plesiospitidiscus Hauterivian Cretaceous Drome France COA

Description

Exceptional Fossil Ammonite – Plesiospitidiscus from France

This listing offers a genuine fossil ammonite of the genus Plesiospitidiscus, an important ammonite from the Hauterivian stage of the Early Cretaceous, approximately 132–129 million years old. Found in the Drome region of southeastern France, this specimen represents a well-preserved piece of natural history from one of Europe’s most fossil-rich localities. The photographs show the exact specimen you will receive, and as with all our items, it comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity guaranteeing its genuineness.

Geological Context – Hauterivian Stage, Early Cretaceous

The Hauterivian stage is a subdivision of the Early Cretaceous period. During this time, Europe’s landscape was dominated by shallow seas and extensive marine platforms, which created perfect environments for marine life such as ammonites, belemnites, and bivalves. The Drome area of France is particularly well known for its diverse ammonite fauna and marine deposits that provide crucial insights into Early Cretaceous ecosystems.

Ammonites from this interval are highly important to geologists because they serve as index fossils, enabling scientists to date and correlate marine rock formations across Europe and beyond. The presence of Plesiospitidiscus makes this specimen not only attractive as a collector’s piece but also significant in terms of scientific and educational value.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Desmoceratoidea
• Family: Desmoceratidae
• Genus: Plesiospitidiscus

This ammonite belongs to the Desmoceratidae, a family of cephalopods well known for their moderately involute shells and ribbed ornamentation. These forms are typical of Early Cretaceous ammonites and demonstrate the evolutionary diversity of the time.

Morphological Features

The specimen displays characteristic features of Plesiospitidiscus:

• Coiled, planispiral shell with clearly defined whorls.
• Ribbed ornamentation, radiating across the shell surface, giving it strength and texture.
• Moderate umbilicus, typical of the genus, with ribs extending outward toward the venter.
• Shell shape that indicates a well-adapted nektonic lifestyle, capable of efficient swimming in open marine waters.

These traits highlight both the visual appeal of the fossil and the adaptations that allowed ammonites to thrive in Cretaceous seas.

Palaeoecology and Lifestyle

Plesiospitidiscus, like other ammonites, was a nektonic predator, inhabiting the open seas of the Hauterivian. Its chambered shell provided buoyancy control, enabling it to move vertically in the water column in pursuit of prey. Likely feeding on small crustaceans, plankton, and juvenile fish, it played an important role in the marine food chain of the time.

The seas of the Drome region during the Early Cretaceous were home to a wide variety of ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, echinoids, and marine reptiles, creating a thriving and diverse marine ecosystem. Fossils from this region allow us to reconstruct ancient palaeoenvironments in detail.

Collecting and Display Value

This Hauterivian ammonite fossil from France is a prized collector’s specimen, combining rarity, historical significance, and natural beauty. Its distinctive ribbed ornamentation and well-preserved form make it an excellent piece for fossil enthusiasts, educators, and anyone interested in the natural history of the Cretaceous. Displayed in a collection, museum exhibit, or educational setting, it serves as a striking reminder of the marine life that flourished over 130 million years ago.

Provenance and Guarantee

• Genus: Plesiospitidiscus
• Age: Early Cretaceous, Hauterivian stage (approx. 132–129 million years old)
• Location: Drome, France
• Geological Context: Marine deposits of the Hauterivian

All our specimens are carefully selected, 100% authentic, and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity. The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive.

This rare fossil ammonite Plesiospitidiscus from Drome, France is a remarkable example of Early Cretaceous marine life, offering scientific value, aesthetic appeal, and a tangible connection to the ancient seas of Europe.