Rare Mercaticeras umbilicum Ammonite Fossil, Lower Toarcian Stage Jurassic, Authentic Italian Collectors Piece with COA

Description

Authentic Jurassic Ammonite Fossil

This listing presents a genuine Mercaticeras umbilicum Ammonite Fossil from the Lower Toarcian Stage of the Early Jurassic period, originating from Italy. Ammonites are extinct marine cephalopods within the subclass Ammonoidea and order Ammonitida, relatives of today’s squid and octopus. Their coiled, chambered shells are among the most iconic fossils, highly valued for their scientific importance and striking appearance. This carefully selected specimen has been chosen for its excellent preservation and display quality. The photographs provided show the exact ammonite you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube for precise sizing.

Geological Background – Lower Toarcian, Jurassic

The Lower Toarcian epoch, approximately 182 million years ago, represents a time of major evolutionary and environmental change. The Toarcian seas of Italy are world-renowned for their fossil deposits, often formed in fine-grained marine sediments that captured exquisite details of ammonites and other marine organisms. These rocks are associated with the Early Toarcian Oceanic Anoxic Event, a period of low oxygen levels in the seas that contributed to the exceptional preservation of marine fossils. The ammonites from this interval are essential tools for correlating rock layers across Europe and serve as important index fossils for biostratigraphic dating.

Species Profile – Mercaticeras umbilicum

The species Mercaticeras umbilicum belongs to the family Hildoceratidae, within the superfamily Hildoceratoidea. This family is notable for its slender, evolute shells and well-defined ribbing. Mercaticeras species are especially important in Jurassic stratigraphy due to their restricted stratigraphic ranges, which make them excellent markers for the Lower Toarcian.

Key traits of Mercaticeras umbilicum include:

• A planispiral shell with an open umbilicus, giving the species its name.
• Regular ribbing that may strengthen toward the outer whorls.
• Gracefully expanding whorls, characteristic of fast-swimming nektonic ammonites.
• Complex suture patterns visible along the shell, marking septal divisions within the chambers.

These morphological details not only distinguish Mercaticeras but also highlight its evolutionary adaptations to life in open marine environments.

Paleoenvironment and Scientific Value

During the Early Jurassic, Italy was submerged beneath shallow epicontinental seas. Ammonites like Mercaticeras umbilicum thrived as active predators, moving through the water column using jet propulsion. Their shells, after death, settled onto seabeds where fine sediments buried them rapidly, preserving them for millions of years. The Lower Toarcian is of particular paleontological interest because of its association with global climatic and oceanographic shifts, recorded in the fossil record by ammonite faunas such as this.

This fossil is not only an attractive display piece but also a scientifically important example of an ammonite species that helps define Lower Toarcian biozones. Collectors, educators, and geologists value such specimens for their role in understanding Earth’s history and evolutionary patterns.

100% Genuine with Certificate of Authenticity

Every fossil we offer is guaranteed to be 100% genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. This specimen is not a replica or reproduction, but a natural relic of the Jurassic seas of Italy, preserved for nearly 182 million years.

Ideal for Collectors and Enthusiasts

Whether you are a fossil enthusiast, a student of geology, or a serious collector of natural history specimens, this Mercaticeras umbilicum Ammonite Fossil from Italy is a remarkable addition. Its combination of scientific significance, geological importance, and visual appeal ensures that it will be highly valued in any collection.

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