Rare Alocolytoceras germaini Fossil Ammonite Toarcian Jurassic Bakrit Morocco

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Rare Alocolytoceras germaini Fossil Ammonite Toarcian Jurassic Bakrit Morocco

Rare Alocolytoceras germaini Fossil Ammonite Toarcian Jurassic Bakrit Morocco with Certificate of Authenticity

Long Description

Rare Alocolytoceras germaini Fossil Ammonite from Morocco

This listing presents a rare Alocolytoceras germaini fossil ammonite, an authentic relic from the Toarcian Stage of the Early Jurassic Period, approximately 182–174 million years old. Found in Bakrit, Morocco, this ammonite is a striking specimen that represents the extraordinary diversity of cephalopods in the Jurassic seas. The specimen shown in the photographs, with a 1 cm scale cube for reference, is the exact fossil you will receive. As always, this ammonite is 100% genuine and comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring its provenance and quality.

Geological Setting

The Toarcian Stage of the Jurassic Period was an interval marked by significant evolutionary changes and environmental shifts, including the famous Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event. This geological stage produced richly fossiliferous marine deposits that are today found across Europe, North Africa, and beyond. The Bakrit region of Morocco is renowned for its well-preserved ammonite faunas, which provide an important record of life in the Early Jurassic seas of the southern Tethys Ocean.

The rocks that house these ammonites were deposited in shallow marine environments where sedimentation and oxygen fluctuations contributed to the exceptional preservation of marine life. As such, Alocolytoceras germaini is not only a visually appealing fossil but also an important index species for stratigraphic studies of the Toarcian.

Scientific Classification

• Genus/Species: Alocolytoceras germaini
• Family: Lytoceratidae
• Superfamily: Lytoceratoidea
• Order: Ammonitida
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Age: Toarcian Stage, Early Jurassic (~182–174 million years old)
• Locality: Bakrit, Morocco

Morphological Features

Alocolytoceras germaini is recognised for its elegant evolute shell and fine ribbing, with whorls that are relatively compressed compared to other contemporaneous ammonites. Its suture lines, characteristic of the Lytoceratidae family, display complex and intricate patterns. These morphological traits highlight its role as an active swimmer within the Jurassic seas, with its hydrodynamic design allowing for efficient mobility.

The species exhibits a distinctive combination of ribbing and coiling that makes it both scientifically important and visually attractive for collectors. These features, along with its rarity, ensure its appeal to those with a deep interest in paleontology and natural history.

Paleoenvironment and Ecology

During the Toarcian, Morocco lay within the realm of the southern Tethys Ocean, a warm, tropical seaway teeming with marine life. Ammonites such as Alocolytoceras germaini thrived as fast-swimming predators, feeding on small fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Their chambered shells provided buoyancy control, enabling them to occupy mid-water ecological niches.

They coexisted with a diverse array of other marine organisms including belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, and marine reptiles like ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs. As an ammonite genus with distinctive morphological features, Alocolytoceras is often used in biostratigraphy to correlate Toarcian deposits across different continents.

Collectability and Display

This rare Moroccan ammonite fossil is a unique specimen with both scientific importance and aesthetic appeal. Its finely ribbed shell and well-preserved form capture the essence of Early Jurassic marine ecosystems, making it a desirable piece for collectors, educators, and enthusiasts alike.

• Specimen: Rare Alocolytoceras germaini ammonite
• Geological Age: Toarcian, Early Jurassic (~182–174 million years old)
• Provenance: Bakrit, Morocco
• Scale Reference: 1 cm cube shown in photographs
• Authenticity: Guaranteed genuine with Certificate of Authenticity
• Condition: The exact specimen photographed is the one you will receive

This exceptional ammonite is more than a fossil—it is a timeless reminder of life in the Jurassic seas, preserved for nearly 180 million years and now available for collectors of fine natural history specimens.