Oppelia subcostata Fossil Ammonite Lower Bajocian Jurassic Spain Authentic Specimen with Certificate of Authenticity

Description

This listing offers a fine Oppelia (Oppelia) subcostata ammonite fossil, dating from the Lower Bajocian stage of the Middle Jurassic Period, approximately 171–170 million years ago. Collected from deposits in Spain, this ammonite is an important index fossil of the Jurassic and a superb representation of the Oppeliidae lineage. Its elegant shell morphology, combined with its provenance from a classic European Jurassic locality, makes it a valuable acquisition for collectors, educators, and researchers.

All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and are supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity. The exact specimen shown in the photographs is the one you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube and rule squares included for precise sizing.

Geological Context and Age

This ammonite originates from the Lower Bajocian stage, part of the Middle Jurassic, when shallow epicontinental seas extended across much of Europe, including the Iberian Peninsula. These warm waters, part of the wider Tethys Ocean system, supported diverse marine faunas including ammonites, belemnites, brachiopods, corals, and early marine reptiles.

Spanish Bajocian deposits are well regarded in the palaeontological record for their preservation of ammonites, which provide important insights into Jurassic marine ecosystems. Fossils such as Oppelia subcostata are used by geologists as index fossils to date and correlate Bajocian strata across Europe.

Morphology and Distinctive Features

Oppelia (Oppelia) subcostata belongs to the family Oppeliidae, within the superfamily Haploceratoidea of the order Ammonitida. This species is recognised by its compressed discoidal shell, with strongly involute coiling that conceals the earlier whorls almost completely.

The name subcostata highlights its subtle ribbing, or costae, which are weaker than in closely related species but still discernible across the flanks. These ribs fade toward the narrow, smoothly rounded venter. Sutures are moderately complex, characteristic of the Oppeliidae family.

This streamlined form indicates that Oppelia subcostata was adapted to a nektonic lifestyle, actively swimming in open water. Its hydrodynamic shape would have allowed it to hunt smaller prey such as planktonic crustaceans and juvenile fish in the Jurassic seas.

Scientific Importance

Oppelia (Oppelia) subcostata is a significant species in Jurassic biostratigraphy, serving as a key marker for the Lower Bajocian. Its relatively short evolutionary range and widespread distribution across Europe make it an excellent tool for correlating marine sediments between distant regions.

This species also provides insight into the evolutionary development of the Oppeliidae family, which became a dominant ammonite group during the Jurassic. Fossils such as this specimen are essential for reconstructing ancient marine ecosystems and for understanding the diversity and adaptability of ammonites within the Tethyan realm.

Collector and Display Value

This Oppelia subcostata ammonite fossil from Spain is an outstanding specimen for both scientific and aesthetic appreciation. Its elegant discoidal form and fine ribbing make it a visually attractive display piece, while its biostratigraphic importance enhances its value for collectors.

Whether added to a private collection, displayed in a teaching environment, or curated in a museum setting, this ammonite is both a striking natural relic and a scientifically important fossil. Specimens from Spain are particularly desirable due to their excellent preservation and their contribution to European Jurassic stratigraphy.

Your Guarantee of Authenticity

• 100% genuine Oppelia (Oppelia) subcostata ammonite fossil from Spain
• Geological age: Lower Bajocian stage, Middle Jurassic (approx. 171–170 million years old)
• From classic Jurassic deposits associated with the Tethyan realm
• Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity
• Exact specimen shown in photographs (no stock images used)
• Scale cube and rule squares = 1 cm (see photos for accurate sizing)

This Oppelia subcostata ammonite fossil is a scientifically significant and beautifully preserved specimen from Spain’s Jurassic deposits. With its rarity, provenance, and guaranteed authenticity, it is an exceptional addition to any fossil collection.