RARE Lytoceras cornucopiae Fossil Ammonite Jurassic Middle Toarcian France Genuine Specimen

Description

Rare Lytoceras cornucopiae Fossil Ammonite from France

This listing presents a rare and genuine Lytoceras cornucopiae Fossil Ammonite, originating from the Middle Toarcian stage of the Jurassic period, discovered in the renowned fossil-bearing deposits of Aveyron, France. With its elegant coiled shell and intricate natural detail, this ammonite is a superb specimen representing one of the most recognisable genera of Jurassic cephalopods. Its rarity and preservation make it an exceptional piece for collectors, educators, and enthusiasts alike.

All of our fossils are 100% authentic specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity for your assurance. The photographs provided show the exact specimen you will receive, with a scale cube marked in 1 cm squares for precise size reference.

Geological Context and Age

This ammonite comes from the Middle Toarcian stage of the Lower Jurassic, dating to approximately 180 – 175 million years ago. The Toarcian seas of what is now southern France were part of a shallow epicontinental marine system, providing a rich and diverse habitat for ammonites and other marine organisms. Sediments in the Aveyron region captured and preserved this marine life with remarkable fidelity, allowing scientists and collectors to study ammonite evolution in exquisite detail.

The Middle Toarcian is particularly significant for ammonite biostratigraphy, with species like Lytoceras cornucopiae serving as useful markers for correlating rock layers across Europe.

Scientific Classification and Identification

This specimen is identified as Lytoceras cornucopiae, a species within the family Lytoceratidae, superfamily Lytoceratoidea, and order Ammonitida. The Lytoceratidae are known for their distinctive evolute shells and extremely complex suture patterns, which are among the most intricate of all ammonites.

Lytoceras cornucopiae is an iconic representative of the genus, with its name referring to the “horn of plenty,” a nod to the elegant spiral shape and decorative appearance of its shell. This makes it both scientifically valuable and highly appealing to collectors who appreciate both its rarity and beauty.

Morphology and Distinctive Features

The shell morphology of Lytoceras cornucopiae is characterised by a loosely coiled, evolute form where all whorls are visible, unlike more tightly coiled ammonites. The whorls themselves are typically smooth or only weakly ornamented, but the sutures are highly elaborate, forming deeply indented lobes and saddles that trace striking patterns across the shell surface.

These morphological traits reflect evolutionary adaptations for efficient buoyancy and swimming, allowing the ammonite to inhabit a range of open marine environments. The beauty of its suture patterns also makes it a favourite among fossil collectors and an important genus for paleontological study.

Depositional Environment

The Aveyron deposits where this specimen was found were part of shallow Jurassic seas that supported rich marine ecosystems. Fine-grained sediments settled gently across the seafloor, entombing ammonites and other marine organisms in conditions favourable to long-term preservation. Over millions of years, mineralisation and compaction transformed these remains into the fossils we find today, retaining extraordinary detail.

Collectible and Scientific Importance

Owning a specimen of Lytoceras cornucopiae is to hold a genuine piece of Earth’s history, a fossil that connects directly to the thriving marine life of the Jurassic seas. Its significance lies not only in its rarity but also in its contribution to geological science, where ammonites like this play a central role in dating and correlating strata.

Collectors value Lytoceras cornucopiae both for its visual elegance and for its status as a classic ammonite species from Europe. Specimens from France are especially prized for their provenance, linking directly to one of the most important paleontological regions in the world.

Key Features of This Fossil

• Rare Lytoceras cornucopiae ammonite from Aveyron, France
• Middle Toarcian stage, Lower Jurassic (approx. 180 – 175 million years old)
• Member of the Lytoceratidae family, with complex sutures and evolute shell
• Well-preserved and highly collectible specimen
• Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity
• The exact specimen pictured is the one you will receive

This Lytoceras cornucopiae Fossil Ammonite is an outstanding addition to any collection, combining geological importance, rarity, and natural beauty into one remarkable piece.