Isle of Skye Ammonite Fossil Pseudogrammoceras striatulum Jurassic Scotland Certified | Rare Aalenian Collectible from UK Highlands

Description

Genuine Isle of Skye Ammonite Fossil – Pseudogrammoceras striatulum

This listing offers a rare and scientifically significant Pseudogrammoceras striatulum ammonite fossil from the Aalenian stage of the Middle Jurassic, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK. Ammonites are extinct marine molluscs related to modern squids and octopuses, and Pseudogrammoceras is a highly distinctive genus within the Grammoceratinae, noted for its fine ribbing and elegant coiled shell. The specimen shown is the exact fossil you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube included for full sizing reference.

All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and are supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring their provenance and making them ideal for collectors, educators, and natural history enthusiasts.

Geological Age and Origin – Isle of Skye, Scotland

This ammonite comes from the Aalenian stage of the Middle Jurassic (174–170 million years ago), preserved within the sedimentary rocks of the Isle of Skye. The Isle of Skye is one of the UK’s most important fossil localities, famous for its rich Jurassic record, which includes marine invertebrates, fish, and even dinosaur trackways.

During the Aalenian, this region of Scotland was submerged beneath shallow seas, where ammonites such as Pseudogrammoceras striatulum thrived. The fine-grained sediments provided excellent conditions for fossilisation, preserving ammonites in detail that still captivates palaeontologists and collectors today.

Fossil Type and Scientific Classification

• Species: Pseudogrammoceras striatulum
• Genus: Pseudogrammoceras
• Family: Graphoceratidae
• Superfamily: Hildoceratoidea
• Order: Ammonitida

This taxonomic placement highlights its connection to a lineage of ammonites that diversified rapidly in Jurassic seas. Pseudogrammoceras striatulum is especially valuable as an index fossil, helping geologists to identify and date Aalenian strata with precision.

Morphological Features

This ammonite fossil preserves the defining characteristics of Pseudogrammoceras striatulum:

• A tightly coiled, planispiral shell with fine ribbing across the whorls.
• Moderately involute whorls with a compressed cross-section, giving the shell an elegant form.
• Regular, delicate striations (ribs) that give the species its name.
• Clear suture patterns where internal shell walls met the outer shell, typical of ammonites.

These features illustrate the evolutionary adaptations of ammonites to marine life, including buoyancy regulation and hydrodynamic efficiency for active swimming.

Scientific and Collector Importance

Pseudogrammoceras striatulum is a key biostratigraphic fossil for the Aalenian stage, used in defining zones within Jurassic successions across Europe. Its presence in the rocks of Skye helps palaeontologists correlate local beds with other regions, making it scientifically invaluable.

For collectors, this fossil represents a rare ammonite from Scotland’s Jurassic coast, combining historical, geological, and aesthetic appeal. Its fine ribbing and elegant coiling make it both scientifically important and visually striking, ideal for display in fossil cabinets or as part of a wider collection of UK fossils.

Depositional Environment

The Isle of Skye during the Aalenian was characterised by shallow, warm marine environments rich in life. Ammonites, bivalves, and marine reptiles thrived in these seas, while the surrounding landscapes hosted dinosaurs and early mammals. The alternating marine sediments of Skye’s Jurassic rocks preserve this diversity, and ammonites like Pseudogrammoceras striatulum stand as iconic representatives of this ancient ecosystem.

Guarantee of Authenticity

Every fossil we sell is 100% genuine and carefully chosen for its scientific and display value. Each specimen comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its provenance and quality. The photographs show the exact ammonite fossil you will receive, with full sizing provided.

This Pseudogrammoceras striatulum ammonite fossil from the Aalenian Jurassic of the Isle of Skye, Scotland is a rare and scientifically significant specimen – a true piece of Britain’s prehistoric marine heritage, ready to become part of your collection.