Description
Pleuroceras reichenbachense Ammonite Fossil
This genuine Pleuroceras reichenbachense ammonite fossil is a collectible Lower Jurassic marine specimen from Unterstürmig, Bavaria, Germany. Dating to the Upper Pliensbachian stage, this fossil represents a classic European Jurassic ammonite from the ancient seas that once covered parts of southern Germany. Pleuroceras ammonites are highly sought after by collectors for their strong ribbing, distinctive keeled shell form and importance in Lower Jurassic ammonite biostratigraphy.
The specimen is a carefully chosen piece, with the photograph showing the actual fossil you will receive. It is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, making it an excellent choice for collectors of German fossils, Jurassic ammonites, natural history specimens, geology displays and educational collections.
Geology, Age and Locality
This fossil comes from the Upper Pliensbachian of the Lower Jurassic, an interval dating to approximately 190 to 184 million years ago. During this part of the Jurassic Period, much of central Europe was covered by warm, shallow to moderately deep epicontinental seas. These marine environments supported a diverse fauna including ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, crinoids, gastropods, fish and early marine reptiles.
The locality of Unterstürmig in Bavaria, Germany lies within a region known for important Jurassic sedimentary rocks and fossiliferous marine deposits. During the Early Jurassic, this area formed part of a broad European seaway connected to the wider Tethyan marine realm. Fine muds, silts and carbonate-rich sediments accumulated on the seabed, gradually burying shells and hard parts. Over millions of years, these sediments compacted and hardened into rock, preserving ammonites such as Pleuroceras reichenbachense as genuine fossil specimens.
German Jurassic ammonites are highly valued by collectors because they combine classic European geological provenance, attractive preservation and strong scientific interest. A labelled specimen from Bavaria is especially desirable for anyone building a collection of Lower Jurassic ammonites or European fossil localities.
Fossil Type and Species Details
Pleuroceras reichenbachense is an ammonite, an extinct marine cephalopod related to modern squid, cuttlefish and nautilus. Ammonites lived inside coiled external shells divided internally into chambers. The living animal occupied the final body chamber, while the empty chambers helped regulate buoyancy as it moved through the water column.
The genus Pleuroceras is especially characteristic of the Pliensbachian stage of the Lower Jurassic. It is recognised for its strongly ribbed shell, generally compressed to moderately robust whorl shape and pronounced keel along the outer edge of the shell. These features give Pleuroceras ammonites their distinctive sculptured appearance and make them particularly attractive as display fossils.
Pleuroceras reichenbachense belongs to the family Amaltheidae, within the superfamily Eoderoceratoidea and the order Ammonitida. Amaltheid ammonites are important guide fossils for Lower Jurassic rocks, especially within the Upper Pliensbachian. Because ammonites evolved rapidly and had wide marine distributions, they are extremely useful for dating and correlating Jurassic sedimentary layers across Europe.
Upper Pliensbachian Marine Environment
When this ammonite was alive, the region that is now Bavaria formed part of a Jurassic marine environment. Ammonites such as Pleuroceras reichenbachense were active swimming animals, moving through the water alongside belemnites, fish and other marine organisms. The seabed supported communities of bivalves, brachiopods, crinoids, gastropods and other invertebrates living in soft sediment and shell-rich habitats.
The shell of Pleuroceras was both protective and functional. Its chambered structure helped with buoyancy control, while the ribs and keel strengthened the shell and influenced its movement through the water. These natural features are part of what makes Pleuroceras ammonites so desirable, combining visual appeal with genuine palaeontological and geological importance.
Unterstürmig, Bavaria, Germany
Unterstürmig in Bavaria, Germany is a strong locality reference for collectors of European Jurassic fossils. Specimens from named localities are especially valued because they preserve not only the fossil itself, but also its geological and geographical context. Clear provenance makes a fossil more meaningful for collectors, students and anyone interested in Earth history.
This Pleuroceras reichenbachense ammonite from Unterstürmig is suitable for display, study, teaching or adding to a themed collection of German fossils, Lower Jurassic ammonites or European marine specimens. Its combination of recognised species, Upper Pliensbachian age and Bavarian locality provenance gives it excellent collecting appeal.
Genuine Fossil with Certificate of Authenticity
This fossil is a genuine specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. Full sizing please see photo. The fossil shown in the photograph is the actual specimen you will receive, allowing you to buy with confidence and add a carefully selected, authentic Lower Jurassic ammonite fossil from Germany to your collection.
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