Plesiosaur Vertebra Fossil Lyme Regis Dorset UK Lower Jurassic Marine Reptile Bone Charmouth Mudstone Formation Authentic Specimen

Description

Authentic Plesiosaur Vertebra Fossil from the Jurassic Coast, Dorset

This genuine Plesiosaur vertebra fossil originates from the world-famous fossil beds of Lyme Regis on the Dorset coast of southern England. Preserved within the Charmouth Mudstone Formation, this specimen dates to the Lower Jurassic period, approximately 190–199 million years ago, during the Sinemurian to Pliensbachian stages. Lyme Regis forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Jurassic Coast, renowned internationally for producing exceptional marine reptile fossils including Ichthyosaurs, Plesiosaurs, and numerous ammonites.

The specimen represents a fossilised vertebral bone from a Plesiosaur, one of the most iconic marine reptiles of the Mesozoic Era. The photograph shows the exact fossil you will receive, carefully selected as a genuine specimen. This fossil includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card confirming its authenticity.

About Plesiosaurs – Marine Reptiles of the Early Jurassic Seas

Plesiosaurs belonged to the order Plesiosauria, a group of marine reptiles that thrived in the oceans from the Late Triassic through the Late Cretaceous. These reptiles were highly adapted to marine life and are recognised by their distinctive body structure consisting of a broad body, four powerful paddle-like flippers, and in many species a remarkably long neck.

Taxonomically, plesiosaurs belong to the order Plesiosauria within the class Reptilia. Early Jurassic representatives from Dorset often include members of the superfamily Plesiosauroidea, which were characterised by elongated necks and relatively small heads compared to the body. Their vertebrae formed the flexible column supporting the neck and body, allowing fluid movement while swimming through Jurassic seas.

Vertebrae from these animals are typically robust and disc-shaped, with distinctive articular surfaces that once connected to adjacent vertebrae. The fossilisation process preserves the dense bone structure and often reveals the rounded centrum shape characteristic of plesiosaur vertebrae.

Geological Formation – Charmouth Mudstone Formation

This fossil comes from the Charmouth Mudstone Formation, a sedimentary rock unit formed in the Early Jurassic approximately 190–199 million years ago. The formation consists primarily of dark marine mudstones deposited in a relatively deep offshore marine basin.

During the Sinemurian–Pliensbachian stages, southern Britain was covered by a warm shallow sea. Fine sediments accumulated on the seafloor, preserving marine organisms that died and settled into the soft mud. Over millions of years, these sediments lithified into mudstone, protecting and preserving fossils with remarkable detail.

The Lyme Regis and Charmouth cliffs expose these Jurassic layers, and natural coastal erosion continues to reveal new fossils today. Many of the earliest scientific discoveries of marine reptiles were made here in the early 19th century, making this location one of the most historically significant fossil localities in the world.

Morphology and Fossil Preservation

Plesiosaur vertebrae typically display a rounded centrum with flattened or slightly concave articular surfaces that allowed articulation with adjacent vertebrae. The robust bone structure helped support the powerful swimming motions generated by the animal’s flippers and flexible spine.

The fossilisation process has preserved the natural bone structure within the surrounding matrix, allowing the anatomical form of the vertebra to remain clearly visible. Such vertebrae provide valuable insight into the skeletal structure and movement mechanics of these remarkable marine reptiles.

Collector Information and Authenticity

This fossil is a genuine specimen from the Lower Jurassic of Dorset and represents an authentic piece of Britain’s prehistoric marine ecosystem. The specimen has been carefully selected for quality and display, and the photograph shows the exact fossil you will receive.

The fossil includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee card, confirming that the specimen is a genuine fossil from the Jurassic Coast of the United Kingdom.

Full sizing is available in the photographs provided. This makes an excellent addition to any fossil collection, natural history display, educational study set, or geological collection focused on the marine reptiles of the Jurassic seas.