Fossil Bivalve Mytiloides kosmati Chalk Marl Cretaceous Southernham Quarry East Sussex UK

Description

Authentic Fossil Bivalve – Mytiloides kosmati

This listing is for a genuine fossil bivalve, Mytiloides kosmati, carefully preserved in Chalk Marl from the Cretaceous period, collected at Southernham Quarry Pit, East Sussex, UK. This specimen represents a fascinating example of an extinct inoceramid bivalve, well known for its distinctive shell morphology and significance in biostratigraphy. The fossil offered here is the exact one pictured, and it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring its provenance and genuine nature.

Geological Context

The specimen originates from the Chalk Marl deposits of the Cretaceous, a geological interval dating to approximately 145–66 million years ago. The Chalk Marl is characterised by soft, calcareous mudstones and marls, deposited in a shallow marine environment under warm, subtropical seas that covered much of southern England.

Southernham Quarry Pit in East Sussex is a well-documented locality, known for producing exceptionally preserved fossil material from the Chalk Marl, including inoceramid bivalves such as Mytiloides, ammonites, echinoids, and other marine fauna. These deposits are of immense palaeontological importance, providing key insights into the marine ecosystems of the Late Cretaceous.

Taxonomy and Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Bivalvia
• Order: Mytiloida
• Superfamily: Inoceramoidea
• Family: Inoceramidae
• Genus: Mytiloides
• Species: Mytiloides kosmati

The inoceramid bivalves were a prolific family of filter-feeding molluscs that thrived in marine environments during the Jurassic and Cretaceous. Their fossil record is extensive, and certain species such as Mytiloides kosmati are particularly important in stratigraphy, helping geologists to correlate rock layers across different regions.

Morphological Features

The Mytiloides kosmati specimen displays the characteristic features of this extinct bivalve group:

• Thin, elongated, inequilateral shell with a moderately convex profile.
• Distinctive radial ornamentation and growth lines.
• A shell structure adapted for a semi-infaunal lifestyle, living partially buried within marine sediments.
• Typical inoceramid preservation where shell microstructure can occasionally be observed under careful preparation.

These traits not only define the species but also offer important evolutionary and ecological insights.

Palaeoecological and Scientific Importance

Mytiloides kosmati lived in shallow, warm seas during the Cretaceous, filtering plankton and organic matter from the water column. As part of the Inoceramidae, it belonged to a highly successful group that flourished for millions of years, often dominating benthic communities.

Because of their rapid evolutionary rates and wide geographic distribution, inoceramids are critical index fossils. Mytiloides kosmati in particular is used to identify specific biozones within the Chalk Marl sequence, making it an invaluable reference fossil for stratigraphic correlation and geological research.

Collector and Display Value

This specimen holds value for both scientific study and private collections. For researchers, it offers a clear representation of Mytiloides kosmati from one of Britain’s most important fossil localities. For collectors, the aesthetic form and geological significance make it a striking and meaningful addition to any fossil display. Its provenance from Southernham Quarry adds an extra layer of historical and scientific interest.

Provenance and Authenticity

• Locality: Southernham Quarry Pit, East Sussex, UK
• Formation: Chalk Marl
• Age: Cretaceous
• Specimen: Mytiloides kosmati

This fossil is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing that it is a genuine, unrestored specimen. The exact fossil photographed is the one you will receive, with the scale cube shown for accurate sizing.

This fossil bivalve Mytiloides kosmati is a superb example of an important inoceramid from the Cretaceous seas of England. With its scientific significance, beautiful preservation, and secure provenance, it represents a remarkable opportunity to own a piece of natural history dating back over 80 million years.