Lobothyris punctata Fossil Brachiopod – Middle Lias – Lower Jurassic – Dorset UK – Authentic with Certificate

Description

Lobothyris punctata Fossil Brachiopod

Middle Lias, Lower Jurassic – Dorset, United Kingdom

Species: Lobothyris punctata

Order: Terebratulida

Superfamily: Terebratuloidea

Family: Lobothyrididae

Geological Formation: Middle Lias (part of the Lower Lias Group)

Geological Age: Lower Jurassic (~190–185 million years ago)

Stage: Pliensbachian

Locality: Dorset, United Kingdom

Scale Reference: 1cm cube shown in photo

Authenticity: 100% Genuine – Includes Certificate of Authenticity

Image Note: The photo displays the actual fossil you will receive.

GEOLOGICAL AND MORPHOLOGICAL OVERVIEW:

Lobothyris punctata is a common yet geologically important brachiopod species from the Lower Jurassic. It thrived in shallow marine environments during the Pliensbachian Stage of the Early Jurassic, a time of rich marine biodiversity along the margins of the ancient Tethys Ocean.

• Morphological Features:
• The shell is biconvex, with a punctate (pitted or dotted) shell surface—hence the name punctata. It typically displays fine growth lines, a smooth profile, and a rounded outline with a small but distinct beak on the pedicle valve. The interior usually contains well-developed cardinal muscle scars and a loop-shaped brachidium (support for lophophore feeding organs).
• Depositional Environment:
• The Middle Lias formations were deposited in shallow epicontinental seas, with calm to moderately energetic conditions. Fine-grained mudstones and siltstones dominate the lithology, indicating sedimentation below wave base in a low-oxygen but nutrient-rich setting ideal for brachiopods and bivalves.
• Biozone and Stratigraphy:
• Lobothyris punctata is widely distributed in Pliensbachian strata and may serve as a biostratigraphic indicator in some localities. It frequently appears in beds rich in benthic fauna and is often associated with the Amaltheus margaritatus ammonite biozone in the UK Lias.
• Scientific Significance:
• Described in early 19th-century paleontological works, L. punctata provides insight into post-Triassic brachiopod diversification and Early Jurassic faunal recovery. It’s a staple species for educational collections and palaeoenvironmental studies.

ABOUT THIS SPECIMEN:

This particular Lobothyris punctata fossil was collected from the Lower Jurassic outcrops of Dorset, a region celebrated for its fossil-rich Jurassic Coast. The specimen shows clear shell definition and natural preservation, typical of brachiopods from the Lias.

It is part of our Alice Purnell Collection, curated and handled by our in-house experts. It comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and is the exact specimen shown in the photo — no substitutions, no stock images.

YOU WILL RECEIVE:

• 1 x Lobothyris punctata Fossil Brachiopod
• From the Middle Lias Formation, Pliensbachian Stage, Lower Jurassic
• Location: Dorset, United Kingdom
• Certificate of Authenticity
• Exact photographed specimen
• Carefully prepared and selected from the Alice Purnell Collection

SUMMARY:

A well-preserved and authentic Jurassic fossil brachiopod from Dorset’s Middle Lias beds. Ideal for collectors, educators, and geology enthusiasts interested in classic British marine fossils.