Description
Rare Lobokosmoceras phaeinum Ammonite from Yorkshire
Offered here is a rare Lobokosmoceras phaeinum ammonite fossil, dating to the Lower Callovian Stage of the Middle Jurassic Period (approximately 166–163 million years ago). This exceptional specimen was collected from South Newbald Quarry, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, a site renowned for its important ammonite-bearing deposits.
Every fossil we sell is a 100% genuine specimen and is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. The specimen photographed is the exact one you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube shown for accurate measurement reference. This is a carefully selected piece, chosen for its scientific and aesthetic value, making it an excellent addition for collectors, educators, and enthusiasts of Jurassic paleontology.
Geological Context and Age
The Lower Callovian Stage represents a pivotal part of the Jurassic, when shallow epicontinental seas covered large portions of northern Europe. These seas created conditions ideal for the preservation of marine fauna, with ammonites such as Lobokosmoceras phaeinum serving as key index fossils for correlating Callovian strata.
The fossil originates specifically from South Newbald Quarry in Yorkshire, a locality well-known to paleontologists for its abundance of Callovian ammonites and associated marine invertebrates. This site preserves a rich record of the marine ecosystems of Jurassic Britain, offering both scientific value and natural beauty.
Scientific Classification
- Type: Ammonite Fossil
- Genus: Lobokosmoceras
- Species: phaeinum
- Order: Ammonitida
- Superfamily: Stephanoceratoidea
- Family: Kosmoceratidae
- Age: Lower Callovian, Middle Jurassic (~166–163 million years ago)
- Locality: South Newbald Quarry, Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Morphological Characteristics
This Lobokosmoceras phaeinum ammonite displays several distinct features typical of the genus:
- Shell Form: A strongly ribbed, involute shell with tightly coiled whorls.
- Ribbing: Prominent ribs cross the flanks, often bifurcating near the umbilical edge, adding striking ornamentation to the fossil.
- Tubercles and Nodes: The species is known for nodular structures along the ribbing, enhancing both strength and visual appeal.
- Sutures: Complex frilled suture patterns are visible, characteristic of the Kosmoceratidae family, and provide exceptional detail under close examination.
These morphological traits highlight why Lobokosmoceras phaeinum is so significant in both paleontological research and private fossil collections.
Paleoecological Insights
Ammonites such as Lobokosmoceras phaeinum thrived in the warm, shallow seas of the Jurassic, where they lived as active nektonic predators. Using tentacles extending from their soft body within the shell, they hunted small crustaceans, mollusks, and plankton. In turn, they were prey for larger marine reptiles including plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs, making them an integral part of the Jurassic marine food web.
The strong ribbing and ornamentation found on the shells of Kosmoceratids are believed to have offered hydrodynamic stability and perhaps even protection against predation. Their widespread distribution and rapid evolutionary turnover made them critical index fossils, allowing geologists to accurately date and correlate Callovian rock sequences across Europe.
Collectability and Display Value
This rare Lobokosmoceras phaeinum ammonite is an outstanding specimen for fossil collectors. Its provenance from South Newbald Quarry in Yorkshire adds significant historical and geological importance, as material from this site is highly sought after.
With its bold ribbing, nodular ornamentation, and intricate suture lines, the fossil is not only scientifically valuable but also visually striking, making it a natural display piece for home, office, or educational environments. It represents both a tangible connection to the Jurassic seas of Britain and a scientifically relevant specimen.
Key Features
- Species: Lobokosmoceras phaeinum
- Age: Lower Callovian, Middle Jurassic (~166–163 million years old)
- Location: South Newbald Quarry, Yorkshire, UK
- Notable Traits: Strong ribbing, tuberculate ornamentation, frilled sutures
- Authenticity: Guaranteed genuine fossil with Certificate of Authenticity
- Exact Item: The pictured specimen is the one you will receive, shown with 1 cm scale cube
This remarkable Jurassic ammonite fossil embodies both natural beauty and paleontological importance, making it an essential addition for serious fossil enthusiasts and collectors of rare marine specimens.
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