Fossil Bivalve Entolium orbiculare Pecten Cretaceous Dorset UK with COA Authentic

Description

Authentic Fossil Bivalve – Entolium orbiculare

This listing features a genuine fossil bivalve, Entolium orbiculare, from the Cretaceous deposits of Dorset, United Kingdom. This remarkable specimen is an extinct scallop-type bivalve, also commonly referred to as a fossil pecten. It is a beautifully preserved example of marine life from the age of the dinosaurs. As with all our specimens, it is 100% authentic and comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity. The photographs display the actual fossil you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube included for accurate sizing.

Geological Background

The fossil originates from the Cretaceous strata of Dorset, part of the iconic Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, a region renowned for its continuous record of Mesozoic marine life. During the Cretaceous, this area was submerged beneath warm shallow seas, where carbonate-rich sediments accumulated and preserved a diverse range of marine organisms.

The chalk and marl formations of Dorset are world-famous for their abundance of invertebrate fossils, including ammonites, echinoids, belemnites, and bivalves such as Entolium orbiculare. These layers record the thriving ecosystems of the mid-Cretaceous seas, providing scientists and collectors alike with valuable insights into ancient biodiversity.

Taxonomy and Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Bivalvia
• Order: Pectinida
• Superfamily: Pectinoidea
• Family: Entoliidae
• Genus: Entolium
• Species: Entolium orbiculare

This extinct pecten represents a group of scallop-like bivalves that lived in shallow marine environments. Members of the genus Entolium are often characterised by their flat, circular shells and radial ribbing. They are a distinctive component of the Cretaceous marine fossil record.

Morphological Features

This specimen of Entolium orbiculare clearly demonstrates the orbicular, disk-shaped shell that is typical of the species. The fine radial striations, coupled with concentric growth lines, showcase the bivalve’s natural shell pattern. Its shell morphology suggests that it was adapted to a free-living lifestyle, often lying on soft sediments rather than attaching itself permanently like other scallops.

These bivalves were filter feeders, sifting microscopic plankton from seawater. Their broad shells would have provided stability on the seabed, while also giving them the ability to move slightly by jetting water when disturbed. The well-preserved growth lines visible on this fossil provide evidence of the mollusc’s seasonal growth patterns in the Cretaceous seas.

Scientific and Collector Significance

Fossils such as Entolium orbiculare are valuable for both scientific study and private collections. They represent a key component of Cretaceous marine ecosystems, shedding light on the diversity of molluscs that lived alongside ammonites and other marine reptiles. Their distinct morphology makes them important for stratigraphic correlation, helping geologists to date and compare Cretaceous deposits across Europe.

For collectors, this fossil bivalve is an excellent display piece. Its rounded shape and well-preserved surface detail make it visually striking, while its provenance from Dorset enhances its appeal, linking it to one of the most important fossil-rich regions in the world.

Provenance and Authenticity

This fossil was carefully collected from Cretaceous deposits in Dorset, UK, and has been professionally selected for both quality and authenticity. It remains a genuine, unaltered specimen with no artificial reconstruction. Every purchase includes a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring complete confidence in its identification and origin.

This rare fossil bivalve, Entolium orbiculare, from the Cretaceous of Dorset is a beautiful and scientifically significant specimen. With its natural detail, historic provenance, and guaranteed authenticity, it makes an outstanding addition to any fossil collection or educational display.