Description
Rare Hildaites murleyi Fossil Ammonite
This is a rare and impressive Hildaites murleyi fossil ammonite from the Lower Toarcian stage of the Early Jurassic, discovered in France. Measuring approximately 8 inches, with full sizing shown in the photograph, this is a substantial display fossil and an excellent addition for collectors of Jurassic ammonites, French fossils, natural history specimens and scientifically interesting marine fossils.
The photograph shows the actual specimen you will receive. This is not a stock image, allowing collectors to view the fossil’s preservation, form, surface detail and overall character before purchase. This carefully chosen piece comes from the Alice Purnell Collection and is supplied with a generic Certificate of Authenticity card with lifetime guarantee, confirming that this is a genuine fossil specimen.
Geology and Age
Hildaites murleyi dates from the Lower Toarcian, part of the Early Jurassic Period, approximately 183 million years old. During this time, much of what is now Europe was covered by warm, shallow to deeper epicontinental seas. These Jurassic marine environments supported a rich ecosystem of ammonites, belemnites, marine reptiles, fish and other invertebrates.
The Toarcian is especially important in ammonite palaeontology because ammonites evolved rapidly and are widely used as index fossils for dating marine Jurassic rocks. Fossils from this interval help palaeontologists understand ancient seas, changing oxygen levels, sedimentary conditions and the development of Jurassic marine faunas.
Fossil Type and Species
This fossil is an ammonite, an extinct marine cephalopod related to modern squid, cuttlefish and nautilus. Ammonites lived inside coiled chambered shells and moved through the ancient seas as active predators or scavengers. Their shells were divided internally into chambers, with the animal occupying the final body chamber while using the older chambers for buoyancy control.
Species: Hildaites murleyi
Genus: Hildaites
Family: Hildoceratidae
Order: Ammonitida
Class: Cephalopoda
Phylum: Mollusca
Hildaites murleyi is a desirable Toarcian ammonite species known for its classic Jurassic spiral form. Members of the Hildoceratidae are important in Early Jurassic biostratigraphy and are recognised for their distinctive ribbing, coiling and shell morphology. Hildaites ammonites typically show an evolute shell form, meaning the earlier whorls remain visible rather than being tightly enclosed by later growth. This gives the fossil a particularly attractive open-coiled appearance, ideal for display.
Morphology and Display Features
This large 8 inch ammonite has strong visual appeal, with the natural spiral shell shape clearly representing the classic ammonite form prized by collectors. The species is associated with fine to pronounced ribbing and a distinctive coiling pattern, both features that make Hildaites murleyi an attractive and scientifically interesting fossil.
Large ammonites of this type make excellent display pieces because they show the elegant geometry of ammonite shell growth. The coiled shell is a natural example of biological design, combining strength, buoyancy and growth efficiency. As a fossil, it captures the remains of a marine animal that lived in Jurassic seas long before the appearance of humans, flowering plants or modern mammals.
French Jurassic Fossil Locality
France is well known for producing high-quality Jurassic ammonites, especially from marine sedimentary deposits of the Toarcian stage. These rocks were laid down in ancient seabeds where ammonite shells could be buried in mud, silt or carbonate-rich sediment. Over millions of years, the original shell material and surrounding sediment mineralised, preserving the ammonite as a fossil.
French Toarcian ammonites are highly collectable because they combine scientific importance with attractive preservation. Fossils from these deposits are often used for study, display and education, making this specimen suitable for collectors, fossil enthusiasts, geology students, natural history displays and anyone interested in the ancient marine life of the Jurassic Period.
Authenticity and Collection Details
This is a genuine fossil specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. It comes from the Alice Purnell Collection and has been selected as a quality collector’s piece. The fossil shown in the photograph is the exact specimen supplied, so the buyer can purchase with confidence.
Please see the photograph for full sizing and visual condition. As with all natural fossils, small variations, natural cracks, matrix, mineralisation, surface texture and preparation marks may be present. These are normal characteristics of genuine fossils and form part of the specimen’s natural history and individual appeal.
A Collectable Jurassic Ammonite
This rare Hildaites murleyi ammonite is ideal for fossil collectors, ammonite specialists, natural history enthusiasts, geology displays, educational collections or as a distinctive decorative fossil. With its Lower Toarcian age, French origin, large 8 inch size, attractive ammonite form and Alice Purnell Collection provenance, it is a highly appealing fossil specimen representing one of the most iconic groups of extinct Jurassic marine animals.
