Description
Mantelliceras cantianum Ammonite Fossil
This listing features a Mantelliceras cantianum Ammonite Fossil from the Lower Cenomanian stage of the Cretaceous, collected at Gore Cliff, Rocken End, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom. Dated to approximately 100–96 million years ago, this ammonite is an important fossil from a stratigraphically significant species. The specimen shown in the photographs is the exact fossil you will receive, pictured with a 1 cm scale cube for accurate measurement. All our fossils are 100% genuine and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Geological Context – Cenomanian of the Isle of Wight
The fossil originates from the Lower Cenomanian deposits of Gore Cliff, situated on the southern coast of the Isle of Wight. During the Cenomanian stage, the Isle of Wight was submerged beneath a warm, shallow epicontinental sea connected to the expanding North Atlantic. This environment favoured the deposition of chalks and marls, rich in the remains of marine organisms including ammonites, bivalves, echinoids, and other invertebrates.
The Cenomanian marks the beginning of the Late Cretaceous and is one of the most important intervals in Earth history. It is associated with some of the highest global sea levels of the Phanerozoic and witnessed a flourishing of ammonite diversity. Fossils from Gore Cliff are especially important in biostratigraphy, providing a detailed record of ammonite succession used to establish precise biozones that allow correlation of chalk sequences across Europe.
Species Overview – Mantelliceras cantianum
The specimen belongs to Mantelliceras cantianum, an ammonite of the order Ammonitida, superfamily Acanthoceratoidea, and family Acanthoceratidae. The genus Mantelliceras is one of the defining ammonites of the Cenomanian, known for its robust shells with moderately evolute coiling, strong ribs, and distinctive tubercles located along the ventrolateral shoulders.
Mantelliceras cantianum is particularly significant because it defines the Mantelliceras cantianum Biozone, one of the key biostratigraphic zones in the Cenomanian. Its easily recognisable features and restricted stratigraphic range make it a vital species for identifying and dating Lower Cenomanian chalk deposits.
Paleontological Importance
Mantelliceras cantianum is one of the most important ammonites in Cretaceous biostratigraphy. Its global distribution and well-defined stratigraphic range allow geologists to use it as a precise zonal fossil. The presence of this species in deposits such as those at Gore Cliff provides a benchmark for correlating marine successions across Europe and beyond.
The genus Mantelliceras also represents an evolutionary step within the Acanthoceratidae, with ornate ribbing and tuberculation reflecting adaptations to predation and open-water swimming in Cretaceous seas. Its morphology and widespread distribution have made it one of the most studied ammonites of the Cenomanian stage.
Collector’s and Educational Value
This Mantelliceras cantianum ammonite fossil is a highly desirable specimen for collectors of British Cretaceous fossils. Its provenance from Gore Cliff on the Isle of Wight, a renowned fossil locality, enhances its scientific and historical importance. For educators and students, it serves as an excellent teaching example, illustrating ammonite morphology, biozonation, and the marine environments of the Cenomanian stage. Its bold ribbing and tuberculate ornamentation also make it a visually striking display fossil.
Guarantee of Authenticity
- 100% genuine Mantelliceras cantianum ammonite fossil
- Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity
- The exact specimen shown in the photographs will be sent
This is a rare opportunity to own a scientifically significant and beautifully preserved Mantelliceras cantianum Ammonite Fossil from the Lower Cenomanian of Gore Cliff, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom, an outstanding example of Britain’s Cretaceous fossil heritage.
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