Description
Pleuroceras stellare Ammonite Fossil
This genuine Pleuroceras stellare ammonite fossil is a collectible Lower Jurassic marine specimen from Belgium. Dating to the Upper Pliensbachian stage, this fossil represents a classic European ammonite from the ancient Jurassic seas that once covered large areas of western Europe. Pleuroceras ammonites are especially popular with 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 Belgian fossils, Jurassic ammonites, natural history specimens, educational geology displays and fossil cabinets.
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 western Europe was covered by shallow to moderately deep epicontinental seas. These warm marine environments supported a rich and varied ecosystem of ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, crinoids, fish and other marine organisms.
Belgium has important Mesozoic marine deposits that record the changing environments of the Jurassic seas. During the Pliensbachian, sediment accumulated across ancient seabeds, burying shells and other hard parts beneath layers of mud, silt and carbonate-rich material. Over millions of years, these sediments compacted and hardened into fossil-bearing rock, preserving ammonites such as Pleuroceras stellare as genuine natural history specimens.
European Jurassic ammonites are highly desirable because they combine attractive form, strong geological age and clear palaeontological interest. A labelled specimen from Belgium is a meaningful addition to any collection of Lower Jurassic fossils, European ammonites or marine invertebrate fossils.
Fossil Type and Species Details
Pleuroceras stellare is an ammonite, an extinct marine cephalopod related to modern squid, cuttlefish and nautilus. Ammonites lived within 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 Jurassic sea.
The genus Pleuroceras is especially characteristic of the Upper Pliensbachian and is recognised for its robust ornamentation. Pleuroceras ammonites typically display strong, regular ribs, a compressed to moderately rounded whorl profile and a pronounced keel along the outer edge of the shell. These features give the fossil a bold sculptural appearance and make it highly attractive as a display specimen.
Pleuroceras stellare belongs to the family Amaltheidae, within the superfamily Eoderoceratoidea and the order Ammonitida. Amaltheid ammonites are important guide fossils for Lower Jurassic rocks because they evolved rapidly and were widely distributed across ancient seas. Pleuroceras species are closely associated with the late Pliensbachian, including the Spinatum Zone, an important ammonite biozone used for dating and correlating marine deposits.
Upper Pliensbachian Marine Environment
When this ammonite was alive, the region that is now Belgium formed part of a Jurassic marine setting connected to wider European seaways. Ammonites such as Pleuroceras stellare were active swimming animals, moving through the water alongside belemnites, fish and other marine life. The seabed supported communities of bivalves, brachiopods, crinoids, gastropods and other invertebrates adapted to soft sediment and shell-rich habitats.
The shell of Pleuroceras was both protective and functional. Its chambered structure allowed buoyancy control, while the strong ribs and keel helped strengthen the shell and contributed to its distinctive form. These natural features are part of what makes ammonites one of the most recognisable and sought-after fossil groups, combining visual appeal with genuine geological and scientific importance.
Belgium Locality
Belgian Jurassic fossils are valued by collectors because they represent part of the wider European record of ancient marine life. Specimens with clear country provenance are useful for building a well-labelled fossil collection and are ideal for comparing ammonite faunas from different Jurassic regions.
This Pleuroceras stellare ammonite from Belgium is suitable for display, study, teaching or adding to a themed collection of European fossils, Lower Jurassic ammonites or classic marine specimens. Its combination of recognised species, Upper Pliensbachian age and Belgian locality gives it strong 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 Belgium to your collection.
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