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Rare Harpoceras larseni Ammonite Fossil, Lower Toarcian Stage Jurassic, Authentic High Atlas Morocco Collectors Specimen with COA

Rare Harpoceras larseni Ammonite Fossil, Lower Toarcian Stage Jurassic, Authentic High Atlas Morocco Collectors Specimen with COA

£24.00

Authentic Jurassic Ammonite Fossil

This listing features a genuine Harpoceras larseni Ammonite Fossil from the Lower Toarcian Stage of the Early Jurassic period, discovered in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Ammonites are extinct marine cephalopods within the subclass Ammonoidea, closely related to squid and cuttlefish. Their beautifully coiled, chambered shells are among the most iconic fossils known to science and collectors alike. This specimen has been carefully selected for its preservation and natural appeal, with photographs provided showing the exact fossil you will receive. A 1 cm scale cube is included for accurate sizing reference.

Geological Context – Lower Toarcian, Jurassic

The Lower Toarcian, dating to approximately 182 million years ago, represents one of the most dynamic intervals of the Early Jurassic. The Toarcian seas were widespread and teeming with ammonites, belemnites, and marine reptiles. Sediments from the High Atlas of Morocco capture this rich marine ecosystem, preserving ammonites in fine detail. These deposits were formed in shallow epicontinental seas, where rapid burial in sediment allowed for excellent fossilisation.

The Lower Toarcian is especially important for paleontologists because ammonites from this stage serve as critical index fossils, used to subdivide the Jurassic period into precise biozones. Fossils such as Harpoceras larseni are therefore essential for dating and correlating marine strata on a global scale.

Species Profile – Harpoceras larseni

The species Harpoceras larseni belongs to the family Hildoceratidae, within the superfamily Hildoceratoidea, order Ammonitida. Members of this family are characterised by their compressed shells, strong ribbing, and distinctive whorl shapes. Harpoceras species are notable for their role in Toarcian stratigraphy, often used to define specific ammonite zones within the Lower Toarcian.

Key traits of Harpoceras larseni include:

  • A compressed, planispiral shell with moderately involute coiling.
  • Strong, linear ribbing that radiates across the whorls, enhancing its visual structure.
  • A pronounced keel running along the venter, a distinctive hallmark of the genus.
  • Complex suture lines that reflect the intricate internal structure of the ammonite shell.

These morphological features help distinguish Harpoceras larseni from other ammonite species and make it a scientifically valuable specimen for both researchers and collectors.

Paleoenvironment and Scientific Importance

During the Early Jurassic, the High Atlas region was submerged beneath shallow tropical seas. Ammonites like Harpoceras larseni thrived in these waters as nektonic predators, actively swimming and feeding on smaller marine organisms. After death, their shells sank to the seabed, where fine sediments preserved them for millions of years.

The presence of Harpoceras fossils is especially significant in stratigraphy. They serve as precise markers within Lower Toarcian biozones, enabling geologists to correlate rock layers across continents. Collectors prize such specimens not only for their aesthetic qualities but also for their role in documenting the evolutionary and geological history of the Jurassic seas.

100% Genuine with Certificate of Authenticity

All of our fossils are guaranteed 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. This ammonite fossil is not a replica or cast but an authentic relic of the Jurassic period, preserved for nearly 182 million years in the rocks of Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains.

A Collector’s Fossil with Scientific Value

This Harpoceras larseni ammonite from the Lower Toarcian of Morocco is a remarkable specimen for collectors, educators, and enthusiasts of paleontology. Its scientific importance, geological context, and striking preservation make it a unique and valuable addition to any natural history collection.

Scale Rule Squares / Cube = 1 cm. Please see listing photos for the full sizing of this exact specimen.

(Actual as seen)

Only 1 left in stock

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Description

Authentic Jurassic Ammonite Fossil

This listing features a genuine Harpoceras larseni Ammonite Fossil from the Lower Toarcian Stage of the Early Jurassic period, discovered in the High Atlas Mountains of Morocco. Ammonites are extinct marine cephalopods within the subclass Ammonoidea, closely related to squid and cuttlefish. Their beautifully coiled, chambered shells are among the most iconic fossils known to science and collectors alike. This specimen has been carefully selected for its preservation and natural appeal, with photographs provided showing the exact fossil you will receive. A 1 cm scale cube is included for accurate sizing reference.

Geological Context – Lower Toarcian, Jurassic

The Lower Toarcian, dating to approximately 182 million years ago, represents one of the most dynamic intervals of the Early Jurassic. The Toarcian seas were widespread and teeming with ammonites, belemnites, and marine reptiles. Sediments from the High Atlas of Morocco capture this rich marine ecosystem, preserving ammonites in fine detail. These deposits were formed in shallow epicontinental seas, where rapid burial in sediment allowed for excellent fossilisation.

The Lower Toarcian is especially important for paleontologists because ammonites from this stage serve as critical index fossils, used to subdivide the Jurassic period into precise biozones. Fossils such as Harpoceras larseni are therefore essential for dating and correlating marine strata on a global scale.

Species Profile – Harpoceras larseni

The species Harpoceras larseni belongs to the family Hildoceratidae, within the superfamily Hildoceratoidea, order Ammonitida. Members of this family are characterised by their compressed shells, strong ribbing, and distinctive whorl shapes. Harpoceras species are notable for their role in Toarcian stratigraphy, often used to define specific ammonite zones within the Lower Toarcian.

Key traits of Harpoceras larseni include:

  • A compressed, planispiral shell with moderately involute coiling.
  • Strong, linear ribbing that radiates across the whorls, enhancing its visual structure.
  • A pronounced keel running along the venter, a distinctive hallmark of the genus.
  • Complex suture lines that reflect the intricate internal structure of the ammonite shell.

These morphological features help distinguish Harpoceras larseni from other ammonite species and make it a scientifically valuable specimen for both researchers and collectors.

Paleoenvironment and Scientific Importance

During the Early Jurassic, the High Atlas region was submerged beneath shallow tropical seas. Ammonites like Harpoceras larseni thrived in these waters as nektonic predators, actively swimming and feeding on smaller marine organisms. After death, their shells sank to the seabed, where fine sediments preserved them for millions of years.

The presence of Harpoceras fossils is especially significant in stratigraphy. They serve as precise markers within Lower Toarcian biozones, enabling geologists to correlate rock layers across continents. Collectors prize such specimens not only for their aesthetic qualities but also for their role in documenting the evolutionary and geological history of the Jurassic seas.

100% Genuine with Certificate of Authenticity

All of our fossils are guaranteed 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. This ammonite fossil is not a replica or cast but an authentic relic of the Jurassic period, preserved for nearly 182 million years in the rocks of Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains.

A Collector’s Fossil with Scientific Value

This Harpoceras larseni ammonite from the Lower Toarcian of Morocco is a remarkable specimen for collectors, educators, and enthusiasts of paleontology. Its scientific importance, geological context, and striking preservation make it a unique and valuable addition to any natural history collection.

Scale Rule Squares / Cube = 1 cm. Please see listing photos for the full sizing of this exact specimen.

Additional information

Era

Jurassic
Origin

Morocco

Jurassic Information

The Jurassic Period (201–145 million years ago) was the golden age of dinosaurs, with iconic species like Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Allosaurus dominating the land. It was a time of warm, humid climates, with high sea levels that created vast shallow seas, supporting abundant marine reptiles, ammonites, and early coral reefs. The first birds, such as Archaeopteryx, evolved from small theropod dinosaurs, while early mammals remained small and nocturnal. Lush forests of cycads, conifers, and ferns covered the land, providing food for giant herbivores. The breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea accelerated, shaping Earth's geography and setting the stage for the diverse ecosystems of the Cretaceous.

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