Fossil Ammonite Reineckia anceps Callovian Jurassic Wiltshire UK Genuine Specimen

Description

Genuine Fossil Ammonite – Reineckia anceps

This listing offers a genuine Jurassic ammonite fossil, Reineckia anceps, originating from the Callovian stage of the Middle Jurassic period and collected in Wiltshire, United Kingdom. The specimen displayed is the exact fossil you will receive, shown in the photographs alongside a 1cm scale cube for accurate sizing. Each fossil comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing that it is a 100% genuine specimen carefully chosen for its preservation and scientific significance.

Geological Context – Jurassic Seas of Wiltshire

The fossil dates to the Callovian stage, approximately 166–163 million years ago, a time when southern England was submerged beneath warm, shallow seas. Wiltshire, part of the famous Oxford Clay Formation and associated Jurassic deposits, is world-renowned for its abundance of ammonites and other marine fossils. The clay and marl layers created ideal conditions for fossilisation, often preserving ammonites in exquisite detail.

The Callovian seas were teeming with marine reptiles, fish, belemnites, and bivalves, with ammonites like Reineckia anceps serving as some of the most characteristic and important organisms of this age.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Stephanoceratoidea
• Family: Reineckeiidae
• Genus: Reineckia
• Species: Reineckia anceps

Reineckia anceps is a key species used in biostratigraphy, helping geologists date and correlate Jurassic marine sediments across Europe. Fossils of this species are highly valued both for their scientific role and for their aesthetic qualities.

Morphology and Distinctive Traits

The ammonite Reineckia anceps is recognised for several striking morphological features:

• Planispiral shell with a moderately involute structure, where outer whorls partly cover the earlier ones.
• Prominent ribbing across the shell surface, forming bold ornamentation.
• Strong tubercles (nodes) at rib intersections, contributing to its robust and decorative appearance.
• Keel development along the venter, aiding in hydrodynamics.
• Complex suture lines, a hallmark of ammonites, reflecting their evolutionary advancement.

These features not only distinguish the species but also make it a visually appealing fossil for collectors.

Palaeoecology – A Jurassic Predator

Ammonites like Reineckia anceps were nektonic cephalopods, free-swimming hunters that thrived in the open seas. They likely preyed on small fish, crustaceans, and plankton, using their tentacles to capture prey while regulating buoyancy through their chambered shells.

The abundance of Reineckia in Jurassic deposits shows that they were well adapted to the marine ecosystems of the Callovian seas. Their rapid evolutionary changes and widespread distribution made them essential index fossils for geologists.

Collector Value and Display Appeal

This fossil represents more than just an ancient shell; it is a window into Earth’s oceans from over 160 million years ago. Collectors particularly value Reineckia anceps due to its distinctive ribbing and robust form, which stand out in any display. Its provenance from Wiltshire, UK, adds further significance, as fossils from these deposits have long been important to paleontological research.

Whether for a private fossil collection, a natural history display, or educational purposes, this ammonite offers both scientific and aesthetic appeal.

Provenance and Guarantee

• Species: Reineckia anceps
• Age: Jurassic, Callovian (~166–163 million years old)
• Locality: Wiltshire, United Kingdom

This specimen is guaranteed genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. The photographs show the exact ammonite you will receive, ensuring complete transparency and accuracy.

This rare Jurassic ammonite, Reineckia anceps, from Wiltshire combines geological history, paleontological significance, and natural beauty, making it a remarkable addition to any collection.