Morphoceras multiforme Ammonite Fossil Jurassic Bath Somerset with COA

Description

This listing is for the exact genuine ammonite fossil shown in the photographs: a specimen of Morphoceras multiforme from Bath, Somerset, United Kingdom. It dates from the Lower Bathonian stage of the Middle Jurassic Period and is supplied with our lifetime Certificate of Authenticity. The certificate records its identification, geological age and locality, providing a lasting reference for your collection.

Morphoceras multiforme is a distinctive Middle Jurassic ammonite. Ammonites were extinct marine cephalopod molluscs related to living squid, cuttlefish and nautiluses. Their coiled shells were divided internally into chambers. The animal occupied the final body chamber, while the earlier chambers helped regulate buoyancy. Shell shape, coiling, ribbing and suture patterns provide important features for identifying species and comparing fossils between different rock layers.

The genus Morphoceras is especially interesting for its strongly ornamented shell and the changes in ribbing visible during growth. The species name multiforme reflects the varied appearance associated with its development. These morphological features make the fossil appealing for close study and provide a useful comparison with other Bathonian ammonites.

Bath and the surrounding Somerset area are internationally associated with Jurassic geology. The local stone and fossil-bearing strata formed in warm marine environments when southern Britain lay beneath a shallow sea. Carbonate-rich sediment accumulated on the seabed and preserved shells and other remains. Over immense spans of time, burial and geological change transformed these sediments into limestone. Fossils from the region record ammonites, bivalves, brachiopods, echinoids and other organisms that inhabited the Jurassic seas.

The Bathonian Stage spans approximately 168.3 to 166.1 million years ago, with the Lower Bathonian representing its earliest part. The stage takes its name from Bath, making a fossil from this area particularly appropriate for a collection arranged by geological stages or classic localities. This connection gives the specimen a strong historical as well as scientific context.

Ammonite lineages evolved rapidly and many species were distributed across broad marine regions. Palaeontologists therefore use them as index fossils to correlate and date sedimentary rock layers. A specimen with an identified species, stage and locality is more than a decorative object: it is direct evidence of biological evolution and an ancient marine ecosystem.

Please inspect every photograph carefully because the images form an essential part of the description. You will receive the exact fossil pictured, not a stock example or a similar substitute. Natural matrix, surface texture, colour variation, incomplete shell areas, mineral deposits and small imperfections are normal characteristics of an authentic fossil and are shown honestly. For full sizing and proportions, please use the measuring reference visible in the photographs.

This Morphoceras multiforme would suit a collector of British ammonites, Bathonian fossils, classic localities or Middle Jurassic life. It is also an effective educational specimen for explaining ammonite biology, fossil preservation and marine geology. It would make a thoughtful gift for a fossil collector, geology student or natural history enthusiast.

The specimen will be packed carefully for dispatch. Handle it gently and keep it in a stable, dry display environment. The included generic lifetime Certificate of Authenticity identifies it as Morphoceras multiforme, records its Lower Bathonian and Middle Jurassic age, and gives Bath, Somerset, UK as the locality. This is a genuine natural fossil with scientific, historic and display interest.