Ichthyosaur Tooth Fossil Jurassic Lyme Regis Dorset UK Black Ven Marls Genuine Marine Reptile Fossil Jurassic Coast Specimen with COA

Description

Authentic Ichthyosaur Tooth Fossil from the Jurassic Coast – Black Ven, Lyme Regis

This genuine Ichthyosaur tooth fossil comes from the world-famous fossil beds of Black Ven, Lyme Regis, Dorset, located along England’s celebrated Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site. Preserved within the Black Ven Marls of the Lower Lias, this specimen represents a remarkable piece of Early Jurassic marine reptile history dating back approximately 201–190 million years.

This fossil is a carefully selected authentic specimen, and the photograph in the listing clearly shows the exact fossil you will receive. A Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card is included with the specimen, confirming that it is a genuine fossil.

Full dimensions and scale can be seen in the listing photographs.

The Ichthyosaurs – Ocean Predators of the Early Jurassic

Ichthyosaurs were among the most successful marine reptiles of the Mesozoic Era, dominating ancient seas during the Triassic and Jurassic periods. Their name means “fish lizard”, reflecting their fish-like body shape combined with reptilian ancestry.

Members of the order Ichthyosauria evolved highly streamlined bodies similar to modern dolphins, enabling them to move rapidly through the oceans in pursuit of prey. Their anatomy included:

• Large forward-facing eyes adapted for hunting in low-light conditions

• Powerful tail flukes for propulsion

• Paddle-shaped limbs for steering and stability

• Long jaws lined with numerous conical teeth

The teeth were particularly important hunting tools, designed for gripping slippery prey such as fish, squid, and ammonites. Ichthyosaur teeth typically display robust conical crowns with subtle longitudinal striations, features that helped them pierce and secure prey during rapid attacks.

Specimens from Lyme Regis are commonly associated with genera such as Ichthyosaurus, one of the most well-known early Jurassic marine reptiles.

Geological Context – Black Ven Marls, Lower Lias

This fossil originates from the Black Ven Marls, a classic fossil-bearing unit within the Lower Lias Group of southern England. These sediments formed during the Early Jurassic Period, specifically the Hettangian to Sinemurian stages.

The rocks exposed at Black Ven near Lyme Regis were deposited in a shallow marine basin that covered much of what is now southern Britain. Fine-grained muds accumulated on the seafloor in relatively calm conditions, allowing delicate fossils to be preserved in exceptional detail.

The Lower Lias strata of Lyme Regis are particularly renowned for preserving:

• Ichthyosaurs

• Plesiosaurs

• Ammonites

• Belemnites

• Marine fish

• Crustaceans and other marine organisms

The ammonite-rich nature of the Lower Lias also allows these rocks to be divided into precise ammonite biozones, making them important reference horizons for Early Jurassic stratigraphy.

Lyme Regis – One of the World’s Most Famous Fossil Localities

Lyme Regis has played a pivotal role in the history of palaeontology. Fossils from these cliffs have been collected for centuries and were famously studied and collected by Mary Anning, one of the most influential fossil collectors of the early 19th century.

The cliffs of Black Ven, located just east of Lyme Regis, are particularly well known for producing marine reptile fossils. Continuous coastal erosion exposes new material from the Lower Jurassic clays, making the area one of the most productive fossil sites in the United Kingdom.

Many museum-quality ichthyosaur skeletons discovered in this area are now displayed in major institutions worldwide.

Preservation and Fossil Characteristics

Ichthyosaur teeth preserved within the Black Ven Marls often retain their original enamel structure, sometimes displaying distinctive dark coloration due to mineral replacement during fossilisation.

Typical features of ichthyosaur teeth include:

• Slender conical crown shape

• Smooth or lightly striated enamel surface

• Robust root adapted for anchoring in elongated jaws

• Dark mineralised preservation from clay sediments

Individual teeth like this specimen are often found naturally weathered from the clay cliffs and represent isolated elements of these once-powerful marine predators.

Authenticity and Collector Information

• Genuine fossil specimen – not a cast or replica

• Fossil Type: Ichthyosaur Tooth

• Geological Formation: Black Ven Marls, Lower Lias Group

• Age: Early Jurassic (Hettangian–Sinemurian), approximately 201–190 million years old

• Locality: Black Ven, Lyme Regis, Dorset, United Kingdom

• Includes Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card

• The exact specimen shown in the photographs is the fossil you will receive

This authentic ichthyosaur tooth represents an excellent collector’s piece from the historic fossil beds of Lyme Regis and is a superb addition to any Jurassic fossil, marine reptile, or natural history collection.