Ichthyosaur Vertebra Fossil Reptile Bone Jurassic Coast Lower Lias Black Ven Lyme Regis

Description

Ichthyosaur Vertebra Fossil from the Jurassic Coast

This authentic Ichthyosaur Vertebra Fossil was discovered at the world-famous Jurassic Coast locality of Black Ven, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK, an area celebrated for producing exceptional marine reptile fossils. Your specimen was unearthed by our team members Alister and Alison on 11 November 2025 and has been fully cleaned, prepared, and treated with care by Alison, ensuring both stability and excellent presentation. The photographs show the exact vertebra you will receive, along with a 1cm scale cube for precise size reference. As always, the fossil comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming it as a 100% genuine specimen collected and prepared by our own team.

Species Background: Ichthyosauria – Marine Reptiles of the Early Jurassic

Ichthyosaurs were highly specialised marine reptiles belonging to the order Ichthyosauria, a group that flourished during the Mesozoic Era. These swift, dolphin-shaped predators dominated the oceans during the Early Jurassic, including the time when the Black Ven Marls were deposited. Their streamlined bodies, powerful tails, and large eyes adapted them perfectly for hunting fish, belemnites, and other marine life in deep and often murky waters.

This vertebra represents one of the central supporting elements of the ichthyosaur skeleton, forming part of the axial column that enabled strong, undulating swimming motions. Its shape, bone density, and structure are typical of marine reptiles adapted for sustained swimming in open marine environments. Although individual ichthyosaur species can vary, the morphology of this vertebra is characteristic of the Early Jurassic forms common to the Lower Lias of Lyme Regis.

Geological Setting: Black Ven Marls, Lower Lias

This fossil originates from the Black Ven Marls, a well-known fossil-rich unit within the Lower Lias (Lower Jurassic). This formation dates to the Hettangian–Sinemurian stages, approximately 196–190 million years ago, a time when the region that is now Dorset lay beneath a warm, shallow epicontinental sea.

The Black Ven Marls consist primarily of laminated shales and silty mudstones deposited in low-oxygen marine conditions. These fine sediments helped preserve delicate anatomical details and contributed to the exceptional fossil record for which Lyme Regis is renowned. Ichthyosaur remains—vertebrae, ribs, paddles, and occasionally near-complete skeletons—occur throughout the Lower Lias and represent one of the key groups of marine reptiles inhabiting the early Jurassic seas.

Morphology and Notable Features

This vertebra displays the classic cylindrical, spool-shaped morphology typical of ichthyosaur centrum bones. The smooth, concave articulating surfaces on each end reflect the animal’s flexible axial column, which allowed undulatory swimming similar to modern fish. The bone structure is compact yet lightweight, with fine textural details preserved across the outer surface. These features are characteristic of Early Jurassic ichthyosaurs and align with the robust yet efficient skeletal adaptations of fast marine predators.

Depositional Environment and Palaeobiology

The environment in which this vertebra was originally buried was part of a quiet, offshore marine basin with restricted circulation. The low-oxygen conditions slowed decay and prevented scavenging, contributing to the exceptional preservation that characterises fossils from Lyme Regis. Ichthyosaurs in this ecosystem thrived in nutrient-rich waters teeming with ammonites, belemnites, small fish, and other prey species. The vertebra reflects the biological success of these reptiles, which evolved powerful musculature and highly efficient swimming mechanics.

Collecting Significance and Display Quality

This Ichthyosaur Vertebra Fossil offers a tangible piece of early Jurassic marine life from one of the most historically significant fossil sites in the world. Its clean preparation, strong bone preservation, and well-defined morphology make it ideal for collectors, educators, and enthusiasts of palaeontology. Fossils from Black Ven have been sought after since the time of Mary Anning, and specimens such as this continue that long tradition of scientific and historical importance.

All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity.