Description
This is a genuine Cretaceous fossil of Actinocamax verus, a species of extinct belemnite, from the Coniacian stage of the Late Cretaceous period. The specimen was collected from the Chalk Formation exposures around Gravesend, Kent, United Kingdom, a site renowned for yielding beautifully preserved marine fossils from the Upper Cretaceous.
Geological Context:
- Fossil Type: Belemnite (Extinct cephalopod related to modern squid and cuttlefish)
- Species: Actinocamax verus (Miller, 1826)
- Order: Belemnitida
- Family: Belemnitellidae
- Superfamily: Belemnitoidea
- Geological Stage: Coniacian (c. 89.8 to 86.3 million years ago)
- Formation: Upper Chalk Formation
- Depositional Environment: Shallow marine carbonate shelf
Belemnites like Actinocamax verus had torpedo-shaped internal skeletons known as guards or rostra, which are often the only parts fossilised. These guards provided stability and streamlining in the water column. This species is notable for its slender and smooth morphology with a subtle tapering profile, typical of Coniacian belemnites. A. verus is often used as a biostratigraphic marker for Coniacian chalk successions in the UK.
Key Features:
- Slender, elongate guard with smooth surface
- Slight taper towards the anterior
- Well-preserved apex and guard structure
- Exhibits characteristic Coniacian preservation typical of southern UK chalk localities
Biozone Information (where applicable): Actinocamax verus is associated with the Actinocamax verus Biozone, often used to correlate upper Coniacian sequences in the UK and Northern Europe.
Specimen Details:
- Origin: Gravesend, Kent, United Kingdom
- Age: Coniacian Stage, Late Cretaceous (~88 million years old)
- Scale: Scale rule square/cube = 1cm. Please refer to the photographs for precise measurements.
- Condition: Natural specimen, carefully selected for clarity and preservation.
- Photo: You will receive the exact fossil shown in the photographs.
Certification & Authenticity: All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We hand-select our fossils for quality and geological significance, ensuring every piece is a collector-grade specimen.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a geology enthusiast, or purchasing as an educational gift, this beautifully preserved Actinocamax verus belemnite is a timeless piece of natural history.
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