RARE: Fossil Heteromorph Ammonite LEPTOCERAS JELEVI – Berriasian, Lower Cretaceous – Hérault/Gard, France – Alice Purnell Collection

Description

RARE FOSSIL HETEROMORPH AMMONITE – LEPTOCERAS JELEVI – BERRIASIAN STAGE, LOWER CRETACEOUS – HÉRAULT/GARD, FRANCE

This is an exceptionally rare and well-preserved fossil specimen of the heteromorph ammonite Leptoceras jelevi, sourced from the renowned Berriasian-aged strata of the Hérault-Gard region in southern France. This area is known for yielding fine Lower Cretaceous ammonite fauna, and this particular specimen comes from the Alice Purnell Collection, a trusted source of high-quality palaeontological material.

You will receive the exact specimen shown, complete with a scale cube of 1 cm for sizing reference. Please see the listing photo for full measurements.

All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity.

FOSSIL IDENTIFICATION

• Species: Leptoceras jelevi
• Type: Heteromorph ammonite
• Family: Uncertain (rare and not widely assigned)
• Superfamily: Ancyloceratoidea (tentative)
• Order: Ammonitida
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Age: Lower Cretaceous (~145 million years ago)
• Geological Stage: Berriasian
• Location: Hérault-Gard region, France
• Stratigraphy: Marine limestones and marls of the Vocontian Basin marginal areas

GEOLOGICAL & PALEONTOLOGICAL CONTEXT

Leptoceras jelevi is an extremely rare species of heteromorph ammonite from the very base of the Cretaceous system—the Berriasian Stage, which directly follows the Jurassic. These fossils provide important biostratigraphic markers for this narrow interval of time.

• Depositional Environment: The region was once part of a warm, shallow marine basin, where carbonate-rich sediments accumulated. These environments were rich in life, including early Cretaceous ammonites, belemnites, and marine reptiles.
• Biozone Association: While precise ammonite zones for Leptoceras jelevi are not universally established, it is generally found within the Berriasella jacobi and Berriasella occitanica zones, indicative of its early Berriasian age.

MORPHOLOGY & FEATURES

• Leptoceras jelevi is a heteromorph ammonite, meaning it evolved an irregular, non-spiral coiling.
• It likely had a loosely coiled or partially uncoiled shell with ornamentation that could include weak ribs or smooth flanks, depending on the preservation state.
• These unusual forms are thought to represent pelagic (open ocean) lifestyles, possibly with limited swimming capability, drifting with currents.
• As with other heteromorphs, its shell morphology was likely adapted for a slow-moving or neutrally buoyant existence in the water column.

SIGNIFICANCE & COLLECTOR VALUE

• Leptoceras jelevi is a rarely encountered ammonite, even among heteromorphs, and examples from France are particularly sought-after.
• The Berriasian Stage is the oldest part of the Cretaceous, making this fossil significant both evolutionarily and stratigraphically.
• This specific specimen, originating from the Alice Purnell Collection, offers added value for collectors seeking authenticated and expertly curated pieces.

SUMMARY:

• Rare fossil ammonite: Leptoceras jelevi
• Heteromorph ammonite from the Lower Cretaceous
• Berriasian Stage (~145 Ma)
• Found in Hérault/Gard, France
• Exceptional provenance: Alice Purnell Collection
• Supplied with Certificate of Authenticity
• Exact specimen shown in photo with 1 cm scale for reference

This is an excellent specimen for any serious fossil collector or educational display focused on ammonite evolution and Early Cretaceous marine life. A unique opportunity to acquire a truly rare ammonite from a classic European fossil site.