Fossils for Sale - High-quality BRITISH and WORLDWIDE Fossils. An impressive selection of fossils, including Ammonites, Trilobites, Belemnites, Fossil Fish, Fossil Shark Teeth, Fossilised Insects in Amber, Dinosaurs, and Reptiles. UK Fossils was formed in 1988 and collects and preps our own fossils in the heart of the Jurassic Coast, collecting fossils from Lyme Regis, Charmouth and Somerset. Our passion for fossils is reflected in our carefully curated collection, which includes some of the rarest and most unique specimens available.

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RARE Lytoceras Fossil Ammonite Jurassic Sinemurian Portugal Authentic Genuine Specimen

RARE Lytoceras Fossil Ammonite Jurassic Sinemurian Portugal Authentic Genuine Specimen

Original price was: £24.00.Current price is: £21.60.

Rare Lytoceras Fossil Ammonite from Portugal

This listing features a rare and genuine Lytoceras Fossil Ammonite, dating from the Sinemurian stage of the Early Jurassic period, discovered in the renowned fossil deposits of Peniere, Portugal. This striking specimen showcases the distinctive form of the Lytoceras genus, with its graceful coiling and intricate suture patterns. A remarkable piece of natural history, it offers both scientific value and aesthetic appeal, making it an outstanding fossil for collectors, educators, or enthusiasts.

All of our fossils are 100% authentic specimens and are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. The photographs show the exact specimen you will receive, with a scale cube marked in 1 cm squares to provide accurate sizing.

Geological Context and Provenance

This fossil dates to the Sinemurian stage of the Lower Jurassic, approximately 199 – 190 million years ago. The Sinemurian was an important interval in the Jurassic, marked by evolutionary radiation among ammonites and the establishment of key biozones used in stratigraphy today.

The fossil beds of Peniere, Portugal are particularly well known for yielding finely preserved ammonites. These deposits formed in shallow marine environments where sedimentation captured and preserved cephalopods and other marine organisms. Such sites are invaluable to paleontologists, as they preserve the biodiversity of ancient ecosystems and provide critical data for correlating Jurassic strata across Europe.

Scientific Classification and Identification

This specimen belongs to the genus Lytoceras, within the family Lytoceratidae, superfamily Lytoceratoidea, and order Ammonitida. Lytoceratidae are known for their evolute shells, where all whorls remain visible, and for their highly elaborate suture patterns.

The genus Lytoceras is one of the most distinctive ammonite groups of the Jurassic, noted for its smooth, rounded whorls and intricate sutures. These features make it both easily identifiable and highly desirable among fossil collectors. Its long stratigraphic range and global distribution also make Lytoceras an important genus for paleontological research.

Morphology and Distinctive Features

The shell morphology of Lytoceras is characterised by:

  • Evolute coiling, with all whorls exposed and visible.
  • Complex suture lines, creating ornate patterns across the surface of the shell.
  • Smooth, rounded whorl cross-sections, distinguishing it from more ribbed or ornamented ammonite groups.

These structural traits were not only visually striking but also functional, giving the animal efficient buoyancy control and stability as it swam through ancient Jurassic seas. This design allowed Lytoceras to thrive as a predator or scavenger in marine ecosystems, feeding on smaller marine organisms.

Depositional Environment

The Peniere deposits of Portugal represent shallow marine sediments from the Early Jurassic. These seas supported diverse ecosystems of ammonites, belemnites, marine reptiles, and other fauna. The fine-grained sediments and stable depositional conditions of this area were particularly suited for the preservation of ammonite shells. As a result, fossils from this region retain fine detail and serve as excellent scientific and collectible specimens.

Collectible and Scientific Importance

A specimen of Lytoceras from the Sinemurian of Portugal is a rare and highly prized find. Its combination of scientific value, stratigraphic importance, and aesthetic appeal make it an outstanding fossil for collectors. For paleontologists, such ammonites are critical in refining the geological timescale and understanding cephalopod evolution. For private collectors, they offer the chance to own an authentic and beautifully preserved piece of Earth’s deep past.

Key Features of This Fossil

  • Rare Lytoceras ammonite from Peniere, Portugal
  • Early Jurassic (Sinemurian stage), approx. 199 – 190 million years old
  • Member of the Lytoceratidae family, with ornate suture patterns
  • Evolute shell morphology with visible whorls
  • Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity
  • The exact specimen pictured is the one you will receive

This Lytoceras Fossil Ammonite represents a superb piece of Jurassic history from Portugal, combining rarity, scientific importance, and timeless natural beauty in a single specimen.

(Actual as seen)

Only 1 left in stock

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Description

Rare Lytoceras Fossil Ammonite from Portugal

This listing features a rare and genuine Lytoceras Fossil Ammonite, dating from the Sinemurian stage of the Early Jurassic period, discovered in the renowned fossil deposits of Peniere, Portugal. This striking specimen showcases the distinctive form of the Lytoceras genus, with its graceful coiling and intricate suture patterns. A remarkable piece of natural history, it offers both scientific value and aesthetic appeal, making it an outstanding fossil for collectors, educators, or enthusiasts.

All of our fossils are 100% authentic specimens and are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. The photographs show the exact specimen you will receive, with a scale cube marked in 1 cm squares to provide accurate sizing.

Geological Context and Provenance

This fossil dates to the Sinemurian stage of the Lower Jurassic, approximately 199 – 190 million years ago. The Sinemurian was an important interval in the Jurassic, marked by evolutionary radiation among ammonites and the establishment of key biozones used in stratigraphy today.

The fossil beds of Peniere, Portugal are particularly well known for yielding finely preserved ammonites. These deposits formed in shallow marine environments where sedimentation captured and preserved cephalopods and other marine organisms. Such sites are invaluable to paleontologists, as they preserve the biodiversity of ancient ecosystems and provide critical data for correlating Jurassic strata across Europe.

Scientific Classification and Identification

This specimen belongs to the genus Lytoceras, within the family Lytoceratidae, superfamily Lytoceratoidea, and order Ammonitida. Lytoceratidae are known for their evolute shells, where all whorls remain visible, and for their highly elaborate suture patterns.

The genus Lytoceras is one of the most distinctive ammonite groups of the Jurassic, noted for its smooth, rounded whorls and intricate sutures. These features make it both easily identifiable and highly desirable among fossil collectors. Its long stratigraphic range and global distribution also make Lytoceras an important genus for paleontological research.

Morphology and Distinctive Features

The shell morphology of Lytoceras is characterised by:

  • Evolute coiling, with all whorls exposed and visible.
  • Complex suture lines, creating ornate patterns across the surface of the shell.
  • Smooth, rounded whorl cross-sections, distinguishing it from more ribbed or ornamented ammonite groups.

These structural traits were not only visually striking but also functional, giving the animal efficient buoyancy control and stability as it swam through ancient Jurassic seas. This design allowed Lytoceras to thrive as a predator or scavenger in marine ecosystems, feeding on smaller marine organisms.

Depositional Environment

The Peniere deposits of Portugal represent shallow marine sediments from the Early Jurassic. These seas supported diverse ecosystems of ammonites, belemnites, marine reptiles, and other fauna. The fine-grained sediments and stable depositional conditions of this area were particularly suited for the preservation of ammonite shells. As a result, fossils from this region retain fine detail and serve as excellent scientific and collectible specimens.

Collectible and Scientific Importance

A specimen of Lytoceras from the Sinemurian of Portugal is a rare and highly prized find. Its combination of scientific value, stratigraphic importance, and aesthetic appeal make it an outstanding fossil for collectors. For paleontologists, such ammonites are critical in refining the geological timescale and understanding cephalopod evolution. For private collectors, they offer the chance to own an authentic and beautifully preserved piece of Earth’s deep past.

Key Features of This Fossil

  • Rare Lytoceras ammonite from Peniere, Portugal
  • Early Jurassic (Sinemurian stage), approx. 199 – 190 million years old
  • Member of the Lytoceratidae family, with ornate suture patterns
  • Evolute shell morphology with visible whorls
  • Supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity
  • The exact specimen pictured is the one you will receive

This Lytoceras Fossil Ammonite represents a superb piece of Jurassic history from Portugal, combining rarity, scientific importance, and timeless natural beauty in a single specimen.

Additional information

Era

Jurassic
Origin

Portugal

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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