Rare Cardioceras praecordatum Ammonite Fossil Middle Oxfordian Jurassic UK Woodham

Description

Rare Cardioceras praecordatum Ammonite from Woodham, UK

This listing offers a rare Cardioceras praecordatum ammonite fossil from the Middle Oxfordian stage of the Upper Jurassic, discovered in Woodham, United Kingdom. Formed around 160 million years ago, this ammonite is a beautiful example of the Cardioceratidae family, renowned for its distinctive shell features and importance in Jurassic biostratigraphy. The specimen is photographed with a 1 cm scale cube, so you can see the exact size and fine detail of the fossil you will receive.

As with all of our specimens, this ammonite is 100% genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, making it both a scientifically valuable specimen and a superb display piece for any collection.

Geological Background – Middle Oxfordian, Jurassic

The Oxfordian stage of the Upper Jurassic spans from approximately 163.5 to 157.3 million years ago. The Middle Oxfordian interval, during which this ammonite lived, represents a time of extensive shallow marine environments across much of Europe. Britain was covered by warm epicontinental seas, rich in marine life including ammonites, bivalves, belemnites, and marine reptiles.

The Woodham locality in the United Kingdom is known for yielding well-preserved fossils from Oxfordian deposits. Ammonites such as Cardioceras praecordatum were highly significant for biostratigraphy, as they allow paleontologists to divide Oxfordian strata into precise biozones.

Scientific Classification

• Genus: Cardioceras
• Species: Cardioceras praecordatum
• Family: Cardioceratidae
• Superfamily: Stephanoceratoidea
• Order: Ammonitida
• Geological Stage: Middle Oxfordian, Upper Jurassic (c. 160 million years ago)
• Locality: Woodham, United Kingdom

Morphological Features

The Cardioceras praecordatum ammonite exhibits the characteristic features of its group, which make it both recognizable and highly prized by collectors:

• Strongly ribbed shell with ribs crossing the flanks and extending onto the venter (outer shell surface).
• A relatively compressed, involute coiling style, giving the shell a tightly wound appearance.
• Distinctive ornamentation that includes ribbing patterns used in identifying specific Cardioceras species.
• Typically a medium-sized ammonite, showing both strength and symmetry in its form.

These features, combined with its rarity from British Oxfordian deposits, make this fossil a striking addition to any collection.

Paleoecology and Environment

Cardioceras praecordatum was a nektonic cephalopod, actively swimming in Jurassic seas. Its chambered shell allowed it to regulate buoyancy, while its predatory lifestyle likely involved hunting small crustaceans, molluscs, and other marine invertebrates.

The environment in which this ammonite lived was a shallow, nutrient-rich sea. The Oxfordian period saw flourishing ammonite diversity, with rapid evolutionary turnover, which is why these fossils remain so critical for correlating Jurassic rock layers across Europe.

Collector and Display Significance

This Cardioceras praecordatum ammonite fossil is a rare and desirable find from Woodham, UK. Its combination of scientific value, aesthetic preservation, and historic provenance makes it highly appealing to fossil enthusiasts, serious collectors, and those with a passion for natural history.

Ammonites of this type are not only beautiful natural objects but also carry immense geological importance. As a well-preserved Oxfordian specimen, this fossil offers a tangible connection to the age of the dinosaurs, when marine reptiles like plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs shared the same seas.

Key Details

• Fossil Type: Ammonite
• Species: Cardioceras praecordatum
• Age: Middle Oxfordian, Upper Jurassic (c. 160 million years ago)
• Locality: Woodham, United Kingdom
• Distinctive ribbing and compressed shell structure
• Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity
• The fossil in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive

This rare Cardioceras praecordatum ammonite is an excellent opportunity to add an authentic Jurassic fossil from the UK to your collection – a specimen that combines rarity, beauty, and scientific significance.