Rare Euhoplites pricei Fossil Ammonite Gault Clay Aptian Cretaceous Folkestone Kent UK

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Rare Euhoplites pricei Fossil Ammonite Gault Clay Aptian Cretaceous Folkestone Kent UK

Rare Euhoplites pricei Fossil Ammonite from Gault Clay Aptian Cretaceous Folkestone Kent United Kingdom

Long Description

Rare Euhoplites pricei Fossil Ammonite

This listing offers a rare Euhoplites pricei fossil ammonite, a striking and scientifically significant specimen collected from the Gault Clay Formation at Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom. Dating back to the Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous Period, approximately 125–113 million years ago, this ammonite is an important example of a diagnostic fossil species used to define biozones within the Aptian. The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive. Each fossil is hand-selected and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring a genuine and high-quality piece of natural history.

Geological Setting – Gault Clay and the Aptian Stage

The Gault Clay Formation is one of the most famous fossil-bearing strata in Europe, particularly renowned for its ammonites. Deposited in a warm, shallow epicontinental sea, the Gault Clay represents a fine-grained, deep marine sediment laid down in low-energy conditions. Its exceptional preservation allows us to see ammonites in remarkable detail, including the fine ribbing and ornamentation of species such as Euhoplites pricei.

The Aptian stage of the Early Cretaceous was a time of significant marine biodiversity and evolutionary developments. Ammonites thrived in these seas, adapting to changing ecological niches, and their rapid evolutionary turnover makes them crucial for dating and correlating geological sequences worldwide.

The Ammonite – Euhoplites pricei

Euhoplites pricei is a well-documented species of the Order Ammonitida, belonging to the Superfamily Hoplitoidea and Family Hoplitidae. Members of this genus are particularly valued for their ornate shells, which exhibit distinctive morphological traits including:

• Strong ribbing and tuberculation, which often extend across the whorls.
• Involute coiling, with inner whorls partially hidden by the outer whorls.
• Compressed whorl section, giving the fossil a robust but elegant shape.
• Prominent keel along the venter, a key feature used to distinguish Euhoplites from other Aptian ammonites.

These physical traits not only make Euhoplites pricei visually appealing but also enable paleontologists to classify the species precisely within the ammonite lineage. This species is especially significant for biozonation in the Lower Albian–Aptian interval, serving as an index fossil in stratigraphic studies.

Scientific and Collector Value

Specimens of Euhoplites pricei from Folkestone are considered rare and highly desirable. Their combination of scientific importance and aesthetic appeal makes them prized by collectors and researchers alike. As ammonites such as Euhoplites evolved rapidly, they are often used as guide fossils, allowing geologists to establish relative ages of rock layers with remarkable accuracy.

The preservation of this specimen highlights the detail of the ribbing and overall form, making it an excellent representative of the species. Collectors will appreciate not only the fossil’s rarity but also its direct connection to one of the most important fossil-bearing formations in the United Kingdom.

Provenance and Classification

• Species: Euhoplites pricei
• Age: Aptian Stage, Early Cretaceous (~125–113 million years ago)
• Formation: Gault Clay
• Locality: Folkestone, Kent, United Kingdom
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Hoplitoidea
• Family: Hoplitidae

A Fossil of Distinction

This rare Euhoplites pricei ammonite fossil is a beautifully preserved piece of natural history with both aesthetic and scientific importance. It represents a species critical to the study of Early Cretaceous stratigraphy and paleontology while offering collectors a visually striking display specimen. With clear ribbing, robust morphology, and excellent provenance, it stands as a testament to the rich fossil heritage of the Folkestone Gault Clay.

The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact one you will receive, with scale rule squares of 1 cm included for accurate sizing. This carefully chosen specimen is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity, making it an excellent addition to any collection of fossils, geological specimens, or natural history treasures.