Phaulostephanus paululum Ammonite Fossil Bajocian France Genuine Jurassic COA Calvados Normandy Cephalopod Specimen

Description

Genuine Phaulostephanus paululum Ammonite Fossil

This is a genuine Phaulostephanus paululum ammonite fossil from the Middle Jurassic, Bajocian Stage, collected from Calvados, Normandy, France. This carefully chosen fossil specimen is an appealing and scientifically interesting piece for collectors of French ammonites, Jurassic fossils, extinct marine cephalopods, natural history specimens, and well-labelled palaeontological display fossils.

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

Phaulostephanus paululum 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 changes make them highly valued by collectors and important in palaeontology.

This specimen belongs to the genus Phaulostephanus and the species Phaulostephanus paululum. The genus is associated with Middle Jurassic ammonite faunas and is commonly placed among stephanoceratid ammonites, a group known for compact coiling, rounded whorls, strong ribbing, and a robust three-dimensional shell form. Stephanoceratid ammonites are especially important in Bajocian biostratigraphy because their shell features help geologists compare and date marine sedimentary rocks.

Geological Age and Bajocian Context

This fossil dates from the Bajocian Stage of the Middle Jurassic, approximately 170 to 168 million years ago. The Bajocian was a time of widespread shallow marine environments across much of western Europe, with ammonites forming a diverse and abundant part of ancient sea life.

During this interval, ammonites such as Phaulostephanus paululum lived as active swimming marine animals. Their chambered shells helped regulate buoyancy in the water column, while the living animal occupied the outer body chamber. 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.

Calvados, Normandy, France Locality

This specimen comes from Calvados in Normandy, France, a region well known for Jurassic sedimentary rocks and fossil-bearing marine deposits. Normandy has long been valued by fossil collectors for its classic European ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoids, and other marine fossils.

During the Middle Jurassic, the Normandy region formed part of a shallow marine setting connected to wider European seas. Warm, carbonate-rich waters and sea-floor sediments helped create conditions in which ammonite shells could become buried and preserved. Over millions of years, these sediments became fossiliferous rock layers, recording the marine life that once lived in the area.

Ammonite Morphology and Natural Features

Phaulostephanus paululum displays the classic planispiral ammonite shell form, with the shell coiled in a flat spiral. Ammonites of this general group are often admired for their compact form, rounded whorls, visible umbilicus, and ribbed ornamentation. Depending on preservation, this fossil may show rib detail, whorl shape, coiling pattern, natural mineral staining, matrix attachment, surface wear, or fossilisation texture.

The whorls represent successive growth stages as the ammonite shell expanded during life. The outer shell shape, ribbing, whorl proportions, and ornamentation are key features used in ammonite comparison and identification. Natural details such as small fractures, weathered areas, sedimentary contact marks, colour variation, worn surfaces, mineral deposits, and matrix are part of the fossil’s geological history and add individuality to the specimen.

Collecting, Display and Educational Interest

This Phaulostephanus paululum ammonite fossil is well suited for display in a fossil cabinet, study, classroom, office, collection drawer, natural history arrangement, or Jurassic fossil collection. Its named species identification, Middle Jurassic Bajocian age, French origin, and classic ammonite form give it strong collecting appeal.

It is suitable for collectors interested in French 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 and geological age provide valuable scientific context for anyone interested in prehistoric marine environments.

Authenticity and Specimen Details

This is a genuine Phaulostephanus paululum ammonite fossil from the Middle Jurassic, Bajocian Stage, Calvados, Normandy, France. 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.