Ichthyosaur Coprolite Fossil with Fish Bone Inclusions Jurassic Coast Charmouth Dorset UK Genuine Specimen with Certificate

Description

Overview – Genuine Ichthyosaur Coprolite with Inclusions from the Jurassic Coast

This listing is for a 100% genuine Ichthyosaur Coprolite (fossilised poo) containing visible inclusions such as fish bones and scales, collected from the world-renowned Black Ven Marls, Lower Lias, at Stonebarrow Cliff, Charmouth, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK. These highly sought-after trace fossils provide extraordinary insight into the diet, ecology, and feeding behaviour of Early Jurassic marine reptiles. The photograph shows the exact specimen you will receive, chosen for its exceptional preservation, identifiable inclusions, and scientific value. Every piece comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, and the images include a 1 cm scale cube for accurate sizing.

The Ichthyosaur – Apex Predator of the Early Jurassic

Ichthyosaurs belonged to the order Ichthyosauria, streamlined marine reptiles that thrived in the Early Jurassic seas approximately 200 million years ago. With their large eyes, powerful tails, and fish-like bodies, they were fast and efficient hunters, feeding on fish, cephalopods, and smaller marine reptiles. Coprolites from these animals are extraordinarily important fossils because they preserve dietary remains not found in skeletal fossils. Inclusions such as fish vertebrae, fin rays, scales, and bone fragments reveal exactly what the ichthyosaurs consumed and how they lived.

Geological Context – Black Ven Marls, Lower Lias Formation

This coprolite was found within the Lower Lias, a sequence of Early Jurassic mudstones and shales deposited during the Hettangian–Sinemurian stages. The Black Ven Marls are globally celebrated for their continuous fossil exposure, produced by natural coastal erosion along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

During the Early Jurassic, the area now forming Dorset was submerged beneath a warm epicontinental sea. The calm, low-oxygen seabed enabled rapid burial of organic material, preventing decay and allowing delicate biological features—including coprolites packed with inclusions—to fossilise in remarkable detail. This depositional environment makes Black Ven one of the most important marine fossil localities worldwide.

Morphology and Notable Features of the Coprolite

Your specimen displays the classic characteristics of genuine ichthyosaur coprolite, including:

• Distinct surface textures, often smooth or lightly grooved depending on original shape and digestive processes

• Visible inclusions, such as fish bones, vertebral fragments, scales, and other undigested skeletal material

• Dense mineralisation, caused by phosphatic replacement during fossilisation

• Rich natural colouring, typically shades of grey, brown, or black from Jurassic sediments

• Compact, rounded form, reflecting natural deposition on the Jurassic sea floor

The inclusions in this specimen provide strong evidence of fish-based predation, showcasing the dietary habits of a long-extinct marine reptile. These microfossils locked inside the coprolite are often identifiable under magnification, making this a scientifically valuable piece for study.

Depositional Environment – A Window into Ancient Seas

The Black Ven Marls were deposited in a quiet offshore setting where fine sediments accumulated gently over time. Low oxygen on the seabed prevented scavengers from disturbing organic remains, allowing excrement, bones, and shells to become rapidly buried. Phosphatisation, common in Lower Lias deposits, played a key role in preserving ichthyosaur coprolites, strengthening the material and preserving internal structures.

This unique environment allowed delicate inclusions like fish scales to survive for nearly 200 million years. Today, these fossils offer an unparalleled look into Early Jurassic marine ecosystems, revealing predator-prey interactions and the biodiversity of ancient seas.

Scientific and Collector Significance

Ichthyosaur coprolites containing clear inclusions are exceptionally desirable among collectors, researchers, and educational institutions. They provide rare, direct evidence of ancient diets and marine food webs. Unlike isolated bones, coprolites offer behavioural information—valuable data that helps palaeontologists reconstruct ichthyosaur feeding strategies, hunting patterns, and the diversity of prey.

For collectors, these specimens are not only scientifically important but also visually fascinating. Each coprolite tells its own story, with inclusions preserved exactly as they were swallowed nearly 200 million years ago.

Product Details

• Fossil Type: Ichthyosaur Coprolite with Fish Bone and Scale Inclusions

• Geological Formation: Black Ven Marls, Lower Lias

• Geological Age: Early Jurassic (Hettangian–Sinemurian)

• Locality: Stonebarrow Cliff, Charmouth, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK

• Authenticity: 100% genuine fossil with Certificate of Authenticity

• Photograph: Shows the exact specimen you will receive

• Scale cube: 1 cm – see photos for full sizing

This exceptional ichthyosaur coprolite is an extraordinary trace fossil, offering unique insight into Jurassic marine life and the feeding habits of one of Earth’s most iconic marine reptiles.