Description
Genuine Metahaploceras subnereus Ammonite Fossil
This is a genuine Metahaploceras subnereus ammonite fossil from the Upper Jurassic, Kimmeridgian Stage, collected from Alter Staffelberg, Bavaria, Germany. This carefully chosen fossil specimen is an excellent piece for collectors of German ammonites, Upper Jurassic fossils, extinct marine cephalopods, natural history specimens, and scientifically labelled palaeontological display pieces.
The photograph shows the actual fossil you will receive, allowing you to view the individual preservation, shell form, surface detail, colour, matrix, and natural character of this specific specimen before purchase. Full sizing details can be seen in the photo. This fossil includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming it as a genuine specimen.
Fossil Type, Species and Scientific Classification
Metahaploceras subnereus is an ammonite, an extinct marine cephalopod belonging to the order Ammonitida. Ammonites were related to modern squid, cuttlefish, octopus, and nautilus, and are among the most recognisable fossils of the Jurassic Period. Their coiled shells, chambered internal structure, varied ornamentation, and rapid evolutionary development make them highly valued by collectors and important in palaeontology.
This fossil belongs to the genus Metahaploceras and the species Metahaploceras subnereus. Ammonites of this type are generally admired for their refined coiling, compressed shell form, and more subtle ornamentation compared with heavily ribbed ammonite groups. These features give the specimen strong appeal as both a display fossil and a scientifically interesting example of Upper Jurassic marine life.
Geological Age and Kimmeridgian Context
This specimen dates from the Kimmeridgian Stage of the Upper Jurassic, approximately 157 to 152 million years ago. The Kimmeridgian was a time of widespread marine environments across Europe, with ammonites forming an abundant and diverse part of ancient sea ecosystems. Their rapid evolution and broad distribution make many ammonite groups useful for comparing and dating Jurassic sedimentary rocks.
During the Kimmeridgian, ammonites such as Metahaploceras subnereus lived as active swimming marine animals. Their shells were divided into internal chambers, with the living animal occupying the outer body chamber. The chambered shell helped control buoyancy in the water column, allowing the ammonite to move through Jurassic seas. After death, the shell could settle onto the sea floor, become buried by sediment, and eventually fossilise through mineralisation, compaction, and long-term geological alteration.
Alter Staffelberg, Bavaria, Germany Locality
This fossil comes from Alter Staffelberg in Bavaria, Germany, a region known for important Jurassic sedimentary rocks and fossil-bearing marine deposits. German Jurassic ammonites are highly collectable because they come from classic European geological settings and often provide strong scientific context, attractive preservation, and detailed locality information.
During the Upper Jurassic, parts of what is now Bavaria were influenced by marine conditions linked to broader European seas. Carbonate-rich sediments, limestones, marls, and sea-floor deposits helped preserve the remains of ancient marine organisms. These environments supported ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoids, and other invertebrates. Over millions of years, some shells became preserved as fossils within the sedimentary rock record.
Ammonite Morphology and Natural Features
Metahaploceras subnereus displays the classic planispiral ammonite shell form, with the shell coiled in a flat spiral. The whorls represent successive growth stages as the animal matured. Specimens of this style are often appreciated for their balanced spiral outline, compressed whorl profile, neat coiling, and understated surface detail.
Depending on preservation, this fossil may show whorl shape, fine ribbing or striation, shell curvature, natural mineral staining, matrix attachment, surface wear, or fossilisation texture. The outer shell shape, whorl proportions, ornament pattern, and umbilical structure are important features used in ammonite comparison and identification.
Natural details such as small fractures, sedimentary contact marks, worn areas, colour variation, mineral deposits, and matrix are part of the fossil’s geological history. These characteristics add individuality to the specimen and help distinguish a genuine natural fossil from a modern cast or replica.
Collecting, Display and Educational Interest
This Metahaploceras subnereus ammonite fossil is well suited for display in a fossil cabinet, study, classroom, office, collection drawer, natural history arrangement, or Upper Jurassic fossil collection. Its named species identification, Kimmeridgian age, German origin, and classic ammonite form give it strong collecting appeal.
It is suitable for collectors interested in German fossils, Jurassic ammonites, extinct cephalopods, marine invertebrates, palaeontology, geology, educational fossil specimens, and natural history display pieces. The natural coiled shell form gives the fossil immediate visual impact, while the species name, geological age, and Alter Staffelberg locality provide valuable scientific context for anyone interested in prehistoric marine environments.
Authenticity and Specimen Details
This is a genuine Metahaploceras subnereus ammonite fossil from the Upper Jurassic, Kimmeridgian Stage, Alter Staffelberg, Bavaria, Germany. It includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. The photo shows the actual fossil you will receive, and full sizing information can be seen in the photo.
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