Description
Rare Dactylioceras athleticum Ammonite Fossil from Holderness, UK
This listing offers a rare and genuine specimen of Dactylioceras athleticum, a beautifully preserved ammonite from the Lower Toarcian stage of the Early Jurassic period (~182–174 million years ago). Discovered in the Holderness area of the United Kingdom, this fossil is a scientifically important and highly desirable piece for collectors of British ammonites. The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive, displayed alongside a 1 cm scale cube for accurate sizing. Every purchase includes a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring this is a 100% genuine fossil.
Geological Context
- Geological Period: Jurassic
- Stage: Lower Toarcian (~182–180 million years ago)
- Formation/Strata: Lias Group (Holderness coast exposures)
- Locality: Holderness, United Kingdom
During the Early Jurassic, the Holderness area was submerged beneath warm, shallow seas. Fine-grained muds and clays accumulated on the seabed, forming the famous Lias deposits that preserve ammonites, marine reptiles, and other fauna in remarkable detail. The Lower Toarcian stage was an interval of significant oceanic change, often associated with the Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event, which contributed to the exceptional fossilisation of ammonites such as this specimen.
Taxonomic Classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Mollusca
- Class: Cephalopoda
- Order: Ammonitida
- Superfamily: Eoderoceratoidea
- Family: Dactylioceratidae
- Genus: Dactylioceras
- Species: Dactylioceras athleticum
This species belongs to the Dactylioceratidae, a family of ammonites known for their ribbed, planispiral shells. Dactylioceras athleticum is a particularly significant form due to its use as an index fossil for correlating Lower Toarcian strata across northwestern Europe.
Morphological Features
The Dactylioceras athleticum is noted for several distinct traits:
- Planispiral shell with relatively involute coiling.
- Strong, regular ribs that extend across the flanks and cross the venter.
- Robust shell structure, typical of the genus, providing both beauty and resilience.
- Diagnostic features that allow geologists to identify the age of the surrounding strata with high precision.
These features make this ammonite both aesthetically appealing and scientifically important. Its ribbing and overall shell form demonstrate evolutionary adaptations for buoyancy and movement in ancient Jurassic seas.
Scientific and Collecting Significance
The Dactylioceras athleticum is recognised as a key index fossil of the Lower Toarcian, used widely in biostratigraphy. Its restricted stratigraphic range allows precise dating of Jurassic rocks, making it a critical tool for palaeontologists and geologists.
For fossil collectors, specimens from Holderness are highly sought after due to:
- Their rarity compared to other British fossil localities.
- Their excellent preservation within Lias sediments.
- Their association with one of the most important stages of ammonite evolution.
This ammonite is therefore not only a display-worthy fossil but also a scientifically valuable piece of Jurassic history.
Key Details
- Fossil Type: Ammonite (Dactylioceras athleticum)
- Age: Lower Toarcian, Early Jurassic (~182–180 million years old)
- Location: Holderness, United Kingdom
- Features: Strong ribbing, classic planispiral ammonite form
- Authenticity: Guaranteed genuine, supplied with Certificate of Authenticity
Authenticity and Collectability
All our fossils are 100% authentic specimens, carefully selected for their quality, provenance, and natural beauty. This rare ammonite fossil from Holderness has been preserved and prepared to showcase its diagnostic features clearly.
With its scientific importance, rarity, and natural aesthetic appeal, this Dactylioceras athleticum ammonite fossil is an outstanding addition to any fossil collection. It represents a tangible connection to the Early Jurassic seas that once covered Britain and offers collectors and enthusiasts alike the chance to own a piece of natural history dating back nearly 180 million years.
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