Lepthoplites falcoides Ammonite Fossil Rare Gault Clay Albian Cretaceous UK COA

Description

Rare Lepthoplites falcoides Ammonite Fossil from Folkestone, UK

This listing presents a rare Lepthoplites falcoides ammonite fossil, carefully collected from the world-famous Gault Clay Formation at Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom. Dating to the Albian Stage of the Early Cretaceous period (approximately 113–100 million years ago), this fossil is a genuine piece of Earth’s natural history, offering insight into the thriving marine ecosystems of the time. As with all our fossils, this specimen is 100% genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. The photographs show the exact specimen you will receive, and a 1 cm scale cube is included for accurate size reference.

Geological Setting: The Gault Clay Formation

The Gault Clay Formation is one of Britain’s most celebrated fossil-bearing strata, deposited during the Albian Stage of the Cretaceous. It consists predominantly of fine clays and silts laid down in a relatively calm marine depositional environment. These sediments created ideal conditions for the preservation of ammonites and other marine life.

The Folkestone coast is particularly renowned for producing exceptionally well-preserved ammonite fossils, often with intricate details intact. The Gault Clay is also of international significance for biostratigraphy, as many ammonite species discovered within it, such as Lepthoplites falcoides, serve as zone fossils that allow scientists to refine and correlate layers of the Albian worldwide.

Scientific Classification

• Fossil Type: Ammonite
• Genus: Lepthoplites
• Species: Lepthoplites falcoides
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Hoplitaceae
• Family: Hoplitidae
• Geological Age: Albian Stage, Early Cretaceous (c. 113–100 million years ago)
• Formation: Gault Clay
• Locality: Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom

Morphological Features of Lepthoplites falcoides

This ammonite species is recognised for its distinctive shell morphology and elegant ribbing:

• Evolute coiling with the whorls well-exposed, producing an open umbilicus.
• Strong, regular ribbing crossing the flanks and often bifurcating, giving the shell an ornate appearance.
• Ventral keel running along the outer edge, a hallmark of hoplitid ammonites that aided in streamlining and stabilisation while swimming.
• Tubercles present on the ventrolateral margins, adding both defensive strength and hydrodynamic function.

These diagnostic features make Lepthoplites falcoides highly recognisable, not only for collectors but also as a reference point for paleontologists working on Albian stratigraphy and ammonite evolution.

Paleoecological Significance

Ammonites such as Lepthoplites falcoides were highly successful nektonic predators, navigating the warm shallow seas of the Albian. Their diet likely included plankton, small crustaceans, and juvenile fish. The ornamentation of their shells, particularly the tubercles, may have provided structural reinforcement against predators such as marine reptiles.

The seas of the Albian were diverse ecosystems where ammonites coexisted with belemnites, echinoids, bivalves, and marine reptiles. Fossils from the Gault Clay thus provide invaluable snapshots of this ancient marine world, recording the evolutionary dynamics of a crucial period in Cretaceous history.

Collector’s and Scientific Value

This rare Lepthoplites falcoides ammonite fossil combines striking natural beauty with scientific significance. It is not only a superb display piece but also an important specimen for understanding the biozonation of the Albian stage. Its clear preservation highlights features that make it a valuable reference for both collectors and researchers.

Every fossil we supply is individually selected for its authenticity and quality. This ammonite is a true natural relic, offering you the chance to own a tangible piece of the Earth’s geological and evolutionary past.

Key Details

• Species: Lepthoplites falcoides
• Age: Albian Stage, Early Cretaceous (113–100 million years old)
• Formation: Gault Clay
• Locality: Folkestone, Kent, UK
• Features: Evolute coiling, ribbing, ventral keel, tubercles
• Authenticity: 100% genuine fossil with Certificate of Authenticity
• Exact Specimen: Photographed fossil is the one you will receive
• Scale: 1 cm reference cube shown for accurate measurement

This Lepthoplites falcoides ammonite from the Gault Clay of Folkestone represents a unique opportunity to add a scientifically important and visually striking fossil to any collection.