Jeffreicystis coxi Fossil Lower Llanvirn Artus Biozone Hope Shales Ordovician Shropshire UK

Authentic Jeffreicystis coxi Fossil from Shropshire

This listing offers a rare and scientifically important fossil specimen of Jeffreicystis coxi, originating from the Lower Llanvirn stage of the Ordovician period. Collected from the Hope Shales at Leigh, Shropshire, and belonging to the Artus biozone, this specimen represents a fascinating window into the marine ecosystems that flourished over 460 million years ago. Fossils from this horizon are highly prized for their rarity, preservation, and contribution to our understanding of early marine life.

Each specimen is carefully chosen for quality and authenticity, photographed to show the exact fossil you will receive. A scale cube of 1 cm is included in the images for accurate sizing. Every piece comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, providing assurance of its provenance and genuineness.

Geological Context and Stratigraphy

This specimen originates from the Hope Shales Formation of Shropshire, part of the richly fossiliferous sequences deposited during the Ordovician period. The specific horizon is the Lower Llanvirn, within the Artus biozone, making it an exceptionally well-documented and stratigraphically important find.

The Ordovician was a period of immense diversification in marine life, often referred to as part of the “Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event.” The Hope Shales are composed of fine-grained sedimentary rocks deposited in a marine environment, preserving a wealth of organisms that thrived in these ancient seas. Fossils from this unit are especially valued for their scientific context, as they provide evidence of evolving ecosystems and the expansion of complex marine communities.

Fossil Features and Morphology

Jeffreicystis coxi is a distinctive fossil recognised for its characteristic echinoderm morphology. As a cystoid, it belongs to a group of extinct echinoderms related to crinoids and blastoids, notable for their globular theca (body) composed of calcareous plates and slender attachment structures. These marine filter feeders occupied benthic habitats, anchored to the sea floor or other substrates, filtering nutrients from the water column.

Key traits of Jeffreicystis coxi include:

• Globular theca with plate structure – demonstrating echinoderm skeletal architecture.

• Attachment features – reflecting its benthic lifestyle.

• Fine preservation – highlighting morphological details important for identification.

• Biozone association – firmly tied to the Artus biozone within the Llanvirn stage.

These features make the fossil not only a collectable specimen but also one with strong palaeontological significance.

Scientific and Collecting Importance

Fossils of Jeffreicystis coxi are rare and scientifically valuable, providing insights into the early evolution of echinoderms during the Ordovician. Their presence in the Hope Shales contributes to understanding both local palaeoenvironments and broader evolutionary trends across the Ordovician seas. As filter feeders, cystoids played a role in marine ecosystems that were becoming increasingly diverse and ecologically complex.

For collectors, this specimen represents a chance to own an authentic fossil tied to a specific biozone and locality, backed by clear geological and taxonomic identification. It is an excellent addition to collections focused on Ordovician fossils, echinoderms, or the broader story of early marine life.

Authenticity and Guarantee

All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and are supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity. This Jeffreicystis coxi fossil from the Hope Shales, Lower Llanvirn, Artus biozone, Leigh, Shropshire, has been carefully selected for its rarity, preservation, and scientific importance.

Scale cube = 1 cm. Please see photographs for full sizing. The specimen pictured is the actual fossil you will receive, chosen as a high-quality example of this rare Ordovician echinoderm.