Description
Hypoturrilites gravesianus Heteromorph Ammonite from Sussex
This listing offers a Hypoturrilites gravesianus heteromorph fossil ammonite, collected from Sussex, United Kingdom, and dating to the Cenomanian Stage of the Late Cretaceous Period. At approximately 100–94 million years old, this ammonite belongs to a fascinating group of heteromorphs whose shells abandoned the regular coiling of typical ammonites in favour of more complex spirals. Such fossils are highly sought after for their rarity, scientific importance, and striking appearance.
All our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. The specimen pictured is the exact fossil you will receive, with a 1cm scale cube and rule squares included for accurate size reference.
Geological Age and Provenance
The specimen originates from Cenomanian chalk deposits in Sussex, part of the world-famous White Chalk of southern England. The Cenomanian is the first stage of the Late Cretaceous, a period marked by high global sea levels and warm climates that fostered extensive shallow seas across Europe.
These chalk deposits are internationally significant for their fossil record, preserving a rich diversity of ammonites, belemnites, echinoids, and other marine organisms. Ammonites like Hypoturrilites gravesianus provide essential data for dating and correlating strata within this interval.
Fossil Type and Scientific Classification
- Genus: Hypoturrilites
- Species: Hypoturrilites gravesianus
- Order: Ammonitida
- Superfamily: Turrilitoidea
- Family: Turrilitidae
Hypoturrilites gravesianus is an important ammonite used as an index fossil for Cenomanian deposits. Its distinctive heteromorph morphology and restricted stratigraphic range make it particularly valuable to palaeontologists for biostratigraphy.
Morphological Features
The shell of Hypoturrilites gravesianus displays unique features that distinguish it from other heteromorphs:
- Irregular Coiling: The shell does not form a flat spiral but instead grows in a complex, helically twisted form.
- Strong Ribbing: Well-defined ribs run across the shell, often bifurcating or branching as they cross the flanks.
- Tubercles: Rounded nodes or tubercles may occur along rib intersections, adding ornamentation and diagnostic traits.
- Keel Development: A keel is often present along the venter, a functional adaptation common in heteromorph ammonites.
These morphological details not only create a visually dramatic specimen but also make the fossil easily identifiable to specialists.
Scientific and Collector Importance
Hypoturrilites gravesianus plays an important role in Cenomanian biostratigraphy, helping geologists to identify and correlate specific horizons in chalk deposits across Europe. Its rarity and restricted distribution add to its scientific significance.
For collectors, heteromorph ammonites are among the most desirable of all ammonites due to their unusual appearance and scarcity. Specimens from Sussex are particularly prized because of the region’s renowned fossil record and long history of study in British palaeontology.
Display and Educational Value
This fossil has been carefully chosen for its diagnostic features and preservation quality, making it suitable for both display and scientific study. Its unusual coiling and ornamentation create an immediate visual impact, distinguishing it from more common planispiral ammonites.
Ideal for private collections, teaching environments, or museum exhibits, this Hypoturrilites gravesianus ammonite from Sussex represents a unique evolutionary experiment in shell morphology and an important piece of Earth’s Cretaceous history. It is both a striking display specimen and a scientifically valuable fossil from one of the most famous fossil-bearing regions in the world.
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