RARE Bullatimorphites bullatus Fossil Ammonite – Lower Callovian Jurassic – Dorset UK – Alice Purnell Collection

Description

For sale is a rare and scientifically significant fossil ammonite, Bullatimorphites bullatus, from the Lower Callovian Stage of the Jurassic Period, discovered in Dorset, United Kingdom. This beautifully preserved specimen is part of the Alice Purnell Collection, renowned for its high-quality, expertly identified fossils.

The fossil in the photograph is the exact item you will receive, chosen for its detail and scientific importance. As with all our specimens, it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity to confirm its identity and provenance.

Scale Rule Squares / Cube = 1cm. Please refer to the photo for full sizing.

Geological & Palaeontological Details:

• Species: Bullatimorphites bullatus
• Geological Period: Jurassic
• Stage: Lower Callovian (approx. 166 – 164 million years ago)
• Formation: Possibly Kellaways Beds or Oxford Clay (exact layer not specified)
• Location: Dorset, United Kingdom
• Depositional Environment: Shallow marine shelf with fine clay and silt accumulation, supporting diverse marine life including ammonites, bivalves, and marine reptiles

Taxonomic Classification:

• Family: Oppeliidae
• Superfamily: Haploceratoidea
• Order: Ammonitida
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Phylum: Mollusca

Morphology & Diagnostic Features:

• Shell typically involute and compressed with fine ribbing
• Smooth outer whorl with slightly inflated shape (giving rise to the name “bullatus,” meaning “blistered” or “inflated”)
• Slightly rounded venter and shallow umbilicus
• Subtle ornamentation gives this ammonite a graceful and classic profile
• Often used in zonal correlation due to its relatively narrow stratigraphic range

Biozone & Stratigraphic Importance:

• Found within the Bullatus Biozone, part of the lower Callovian ammonite zonation used for European correlation
• Important for mid-Jurassic biostratigraphy in the UK and northern Europe
• Useful for correlating marine deposits in the Callovian, especially in the context of ammonite faunal turnover following Bajocian biodiversity expansions

Notable Facts:

• Bullatimorphites bullatus is a key taxon in Callovian ammonite studies and features prominently in academic literature on Jurassic stratigraphy
• Fossils of this species are well known from select locations in Dorset, and good-quality specimens are increasingly rare
• Excellent teaching or display specimen for educational institutions, collectors, or enthusiasts interested in Jurassic ammonoid evolution

Summary:

This is a well-preserved fossil ammonite, Bullatimorphites bullatus, from the Lower Callovian of Dorset, England. It is a classic example of mid-Jurassic marine life, with fine morphological preservation. As part of the Alice Purnell Collection, it represents a specimen of assured authenticity and quality.

It is ideal for collectors, educators, and anyone with a passion for palaeontology or the ancient seas of the Jurassic period.

Additional Notes:

• All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity
• The image shows the actual fossil you will receive
• Scale rule/cube = 1cm – please refer to the photo for exact size