Nicklesia alicanterensis Ammonite Fossil Spain with COA

Description

Genuine Nicklesia alicanterensis Ammonite Fossil

This genuine ammonite fossil is identified as Nicklesia alicanterensis and comes from Concentaina in Alicante, Spain. It dates to the Barremian Stage of the Lower Cretaceous and is a carefully chosen Spanish specimen with valuable species, geological age, and locality information. The photographs show the actual fossil offered for sale, so the ammonite pictured is the exact specimen you will receive.

Barremian Lower Cretaceous Age

The Barremian is a stage of the Early Cretaceous Period, spanning approximately 129 to 125 million years ago. During this interval, warm seas covered extensive parts of southern Europe and the western Tethyan realm. Marine communities included ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, gastropods, fish, and many other organisms adapted to open-water and sea-floor environments.

After death, an ammonite shell could settle onto the seabed and become buried by fine marine sediment. Compaction, mineral replacement, and later geological uplift preserved the shell or internal mould as a fossil. The documented Barremian age gives this specimen a precise place within the Lower Cretaceous marine succession.

Nicklesia alicanterensis

Nicklesia was an extinct marine cephalopod with a coiled shell divided internally into chambers. The living animal occupied the final body chamber, while earlier sealed chambers assisted with buoyancy control. Ammonites were relatives of modern squid, cuttlefish, and nautiluses, although they formed their own diverse and now extinct group.

Shell shape, whorl proportions, umbilical width, ribbing, and the form of the outer edge are among the features used to compare ammonite species. Examine the photographs for the coiled whorls, shell outline, natural ornament, umbilical area, matrix, and preserved surface detail visible on this individual Nicklesia alicanterensis.

Scientific and Stratigraphic Interest

Ammonites evolved relatively rapidly and were widely distributed through ancient oceans. Their changing shell forms make them valuable index fossils, allowing geologists to compare sedimentary sequences and establish relative ages. Barremian ammonites from southeastern Spain contribute to understanding Lower Cretaceous marine faunas and connections around the ancient Tethys Ocean.

An ammonite shell grew by adding progressively larger chambers around the outer whorl. Internal septa met the shell wall along complex suture lines, reinforcing the chambered structure. External ribs or growth lines also recorded how the shell expanded throughout the animal’s life.

Alicante Geological Provenance

Alicante in southeastern Spain contains extensive Mesozoic sedimentary rocks formed along the ancient margins of the Tethys. Lower Cretaceous marine strata in the region preserve important ammonite assemblages used for biostratigraphic study. These rocks document changing water depth, sediment supply, and marine ecosystems during the Early Cretaceous.

Concentaina provides a specific locality for this fossil and adds valuable geographical context. A specimen from a named Spanish locality can complement a collection arranged by European country, geological stage, ammonite genus, or ancient marine environment.

Natural Fossil Character

Natural colour, mineral texture, small breaks, areas of wear, and variations in preservation reflect the fossil’s long geological history. These are expected features of an authentic specimen rather than manufacturing defects. Every ammonite preserves a different balance of shell material, mineral replacement, internal mould, and surrounding rock, giving each piece unique character.

The multiple photographs show this exact Nicklesia alicanterensis from useful angles. They allow close inspection of its condition, ornament, outline, matrix, proportions, and display qualities. Full sizing is shown in the photographs, which provide the clearest scale information for this individual fossil. The images are not stock photographs and do not represent a similar specimen.

Certificate of Authenticity

This genuine fossil includes a generic Certificate of Authenticity card with a lifetime guarantee. Its Barremian age, Alicante provenance, species-level identification, and authentic natural preservation make it a distinctive addition to a fossil cabinet, study collection, office display, or educational setting. It is also a thoughtful gift for anyone interested in Spanish fossils, Lower Cretaceous geology, ammonite evolution, palaeontology, or genuine natural history specimens.