Description
Authentic Pseudoloma hettangiensis Fossil Bivalve from Lyme Regis
This genuine Pseudoloma hettangiensis fossil bivalve originates from the famous Blue Lias Formation exposed at Monmouth Beach near Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK, part of the internationally recognised Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Blue Lias deposits of Dorset are among the most historically important fossil-bearing strata in the world and have produced a vast array of marine fossils from the earliest stages of the Jurassic Period.
This fossil represents a well-preserved marine bivalve mollusc belonging to the species Pseudoloma hettangiensis, a shell-bearing organism that lived on the seabed of the shallow seas that covered southern Britain approximately 201–199 million years ago during the Hettangian Stage of the Early Jurassic.
The specimen has been carefully selected for its preservation and fossil detail, and the listing photographs clearly show the exact fossil specimen you will receive. Full sizing can be seen in the listing images for accurate scale and reference.
This fossil is a genuine specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming its authenticity and geological origin.
Fossil Identification and Scientific Classification
The fossil belongs to the bivalve genus Pseudoloma, a group of marine molluscs that lived on or within marine sediments during the Early Jurassic.
Scientific classification includes:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Bivalvia
- Order: Pectinida
- Family: Pseudolidae
- Genus: Pseudoloma
- Species: Pseudoloma hettangiensis
Bivalves are marine or freshwater molluscs characterised by two hinged shell valves that protect the soft body of the organism. Members of the genus Pseudoloma are recognised from Early Jurassic marine sediments and are commonly associated with the fossil-rich Blue Lias deposits of southern England.
The species name hettangiensis reflects its occurrence within the Hettangian Stage, the earliest stage of the Jurassic Period.
Geological Formation and Age
This specimen originates from the Blue Lias Formation, a sequence of alternating limestone and shale beds that form the base of the Jurassic sedimentary succession in southern England.
The Blue Lias was deposited during the Hettangian Stage of the Early Jurassic, approximately 201 to 199 million years ago, shortly after the end-Triassic extinction event. These sediments represent one of the earliest Jurassic marine environments preserved in the rock record.
The formation consists of:
- Thin limestone beds
- Dark marine shale layers
- Fossil-rich marine sediment
- Ammonite-bearing strata used for biostratigraphy
The Blue Lias is well known for containing abundant marine fossils including ammonites, bivalves, gastropods, and marine reptiles.
Morphological Features of Pseudoloma Bivalves
Bivalves such as Pseudoloma hettangiensis possessed shells composed of two symmetrical valves joined by a hinge ligament. These shells protected the soft-bodied organism while it lived either partially buried in sediment or resting on the seabed.
Typical morphological characteristics include:
- Two hinged shell valves
- Rounded to oval shell outline
- Growth lines marking successive stages of shell development
- Symmetrical valve structure
Growth lines on the shell surface record the organism’s development through time, similar to tree rings, as the shell expanded gradually during the life of the animal.
The hinge mechanism allowed the valves to open and close for feeding and protection.
Marine Environment of the Blue Lias Formation
During the Early Jurassic, the region that is now Dorset was covered by a warm shallow epicontinental sea that extended across much of what is now western Europe.
The marine environment included:
- Shallow marine shelf waters
- Soft muddy seabeds
- Periodic limestone deposition
- Rich marine ecosystems
The seabed supported a wide variety of marine organisms including:
- Ammonites
- Bivalves such as Pseudoloma
- Gastropods
- Crustaceans
- Early marine reptiles including ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs
These organisms lived within a dynamic marine ecosystem where sediment accumulated slowly, allowing the remains of marine life to be preserved.
Fossilisation and Preservation
When bivalves died, their shells often settled onto the seabed where they became buried within fine marine sediment. Over time, the sediment compacted into shale and limestone, preserving the shells within the rock.
Mineralisation processes replaced or reinforced the original shell material, allowing the fossil to survive for millions of years.
The alternating limestone and shale layers of the Blue Lias are particularly effective at preserving marine fossils because they capture organisms quickly after burial and protect them from erosion.
Erosion along the cliffs and shore platforms at Lyme Regis continually exposes new fossils from these ancient sediments.
Fossil Locality of Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis and the surrounding coastline form part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, which preserves a continuous record of geological history spanning approximately 185 million years.
The fossil beds at Monmouth Beach are among the most productive sites within the Blue Lias Formation. This location has historically produced important fossil discoveries that helped establish the science of palaeontology during the nineteenth century.
Collectors and researchers continue to value fossils from this locality due to their connection with one of the most famous fossil coastlines in the world.
Authentic Fossil Specimen
This specimen is a genuine Pseudoloma hettangiensis fossil bivalve from the Blue Lias Formation at Monmouth Beach, Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK.
Key details include:
- Authentic Pseudoloma hettangiensis fossil bivalve
- Geological Formation: Blue Lias
- Geological Age: Early Jurassic Period
- Stage: Hettangian
- Locality: Monmouth Beach, Lyme Regis, Dorset, United Kingdom
- Classic fossil locality within the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site
- Exact specimen shown in listing photographs
- Full sizing visible in listing images
- Includes Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card
This fossil represents a preserved marine organism from the earliest Jurassic seas that once covered southern Britain, making it an excellent addition to fossil collections, geological displays, and natural history collections.
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