Mortoniceras cantabrigense Ammonite Fossil Cenomanian Cretaceous Calvados France Genuine COA

Description

Authentic Mortoniceras cantabrigense Ammonite Fossil from Calvados, France

This listing offers a rare and scientifically significant Mortoniceras cantabrigense ammonite fossil from the Cenomanian Stage of the Cretaceous Period, discovered in Calvados, Normandy, France. Dating to approximately 100–94 million years ago, this ammonite is an important index fossil that helps geologists establish stratigraphic frameworks for the Lower–Middle Cretaceous boundary. The specimen available is the exact fossil photographed, and a 1 cm scale cube is included in the images to provide accurate sizing. Every purchase includes a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing that this is a genuine piece of natural history.

Geological Context and Age

The Cenomanian Stage marks the beginning of the Late Cretaceous, a time of significant global change, with widespread marine transgressions flooding continental margins. In Western Europe, the seas expanded, depositing richly fossiliferous sediments across Normandy, where Calvados became a renowned fossil-bearing region.

The Mortoniceras cantabrigense ammonite is a diagnostic fossil of this time period, serving as an index species that defines the Cantabrigense Zone within the Cenomanian. Its presence allows paleontologists to accurately date and correlate sedimentary layers across Europe and beyond. Fossils from this zone are particularly important for reconstructing sea-level changes and the biodiversity of mid-Cretaceous ecosystems.

Scientific Classification

• Fossil Type: Ammonite
• Genus: Mortoniceras
• Species: cantabrigense
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Acanthoceratoidea
• Family: Acanthoceratidae
• Age: Cenomanian Stage, Late Cretaceous (~100–94 million years ago)
• Formation: Cretaceous marine deposits of Calvados, Normandy, France
• Biozone: Cantabrigense Zone

Morphological Features

The Mortoniceras cantabrigense ammonite is recognised for its distinctive shell morphology and robust ornamentation, which make it both scientifically valuable and visually striking:

• Planispiral, evolute shell with broad, open whorls.
• Strong ribbing across the flanks, with ribs often tuberculated (bearing small nodes or spines).
• Ornamentation typically includes umbilical tubercles and ventrolateral nodes, features that aided in species identification.
• Sutures with complex, interlocking lobes and saddles, typical of the Acanthoceratidae family.

This combination of features not only makes Mortoniceras an ideal index fossil but also an attractive display specimen.

Paleoecological Significance

Ammonites such as Mortoniceras cantabrigense were highly mobile, nektonic predators, actively swimming in the warm shallow seas of the Cenomanian. They are believed to have fed on small crustaceans, molluscs, and planktonic organisms. Their presence in Calvados reflects a thriving marine ecosystem influenced by rising sea levels and nutrient-rich waters.

The sediments of Normandy during this time were deposited in a calm, shallow marine environment, allowing delicate shell features to be preserved. Fossils from this region provide key insights into marine biodiversity, paleoecology, and evolutionary trends during the early stages of the Late Cretaceous.

Collector and Display Value

This specimen is more than just a fossil—it is a tangible connection to the Cretaceous seas of France, an era when ammonites dominated marine ecosystems. Collectors and enthusiasts value Mortoniceras cantabrigense fossils for their role in stratigraphic studies, their distinctive morphology, and their historical importance as classic French ammonites.

As an authentic fossil from the world-renowned locality of Calvados, Normandy, this ammonite makes a perfect addition to private collections, teaching collections, or display pieces of natural history. Its provenance, distinctive ribbing, and role as an index fossil elevate its significance among Cretaceous specimens.

Key Features

• Species: Mortoniceras cantabrigense
• Age: Cenomanian, Late Cretaceous (~100–94 million years ago)
• Location: Calvados, Normandy, France
• Biozone: Cantabrigense Zone
• Features: Evolute shell, strong ribbing, ventrolateral tubercles
• Authenticity: Guaranteed genuine, supplied with Certificate of Authenticity
• Display: Exact fossil shown in the photographs with 1 cm scale cube included

This is a rare opportunity to acquire a scientifically important and visually striking ammonite fossil from one of France’s most famous Cretaceous localities.