Rare Orthosphinctes ardescia Fossil Ammonite Jurassic Kimmeridgian Graffenberg Germany

Description

Rare Orthosphinctes ardescia Fossil Ammonite from Graffenberg, Germany

This listing offers a rare Orthosphinctes ardescia fossil ammonite, dating to the Kimmeridgian stage of the Jurassic period. Discovered in Graffenberg, Germany, this ammonite is an excellent example of the diverse and complex ammonite fauna that thrived in Europe during the Late Jurassic. The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube provided for accurate size reference. Every specimen is 100% genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological Age and Setting – Kimmeridgian, Jurassic

This specimen comes from the Kimmeridgian stage of the Late Jurassic, approximately 157–152 million years ago. At that time, the region that is now Graffenberg lay within the extensive seas of the European shelf, which formed part of the broader Tethys Ocean. These warm, shallow seas were rich in life and accumulated thick sequences of marls and limestones, now famous for yielding superb ammonite fossils.

The Kimmeridgian stage is also of great importance in stratigraphy, as it forms part of the Upper Jurassic sequence that records significant changes in marine biodiversity. Ammonites like Orthosphinctes ardescia are widely used as index fossils, helping geologists correlate rock sequences across Europe with high precision.

Species and Classification

• Genus: Orthosphinctes
• Species: ardescia
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Perisphinctoidea
• Family: Perisphinctidae

Orthosphinctes ardescia is a species within the Perisphinctidae, a family of ammonites characterised by evolute shells with distinctive ribbing. The genus Orthosphinctes is particularly well-known for its role in Jurassic biostratigraphy, providing crucial information about the Kimmeridgian stage.

Morphological Features

The Orthosphinctes ardescia ammonite displays several distinctive characteristics:

• Shell form: Evolute coiling with inner whorls exposed, creating a wide and open shell profile.
• Ribbing: Strong, bifurcating ribs extending across the flanks and over the venter, typical of Perisphinctidae ammonites.
• Whorl profile: Rounded with well-developed ribbing that becomes more complex on the outer whorls.
• Ornamentation: Fine ribbing patterns highlight the species’ taxonomic features, making it highly attractive both scientifically and aesthetically.

These morphological details provide key identifiers for the species and make the fossil visually impressive as a collector’s piece.

Stratigraphic and Biozone Importance

Orthosphinctes ardescia is an important fossil for defining Kimmeridgian ammonite biozones. Its presence in the Graffenberg succession allows for the correlation of marine deposits across central Europe and contributes to refining the Upper Jurassic stratigraphic framework. The Perisphinctidae family, to which this species belongs, is one of the most important ammonite groups for Jurassic stratigraphy.

Collector and Scientific Value

• Collectors will admire this fossil for its rarity, bold ribbing, and provenance from Graffenberg, a well-regarded German fossil locality.
• Researchers and educators value it for its role in stratigraphy and ammonite classification during the Kimmeridgian.
• For display purposes, the symmetry and detailed ribbing make this ammonite a stunning addition to any fossil collection.

Authenticity and Guarantee

All of our fossils are responsibly sourced and are 100% genuine specimens. This Orthosphinctes ardescia ammonite has been carefully chosen for its preservation, quality, and rarity. Each fossil is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, giving you full confidence in its provenance.

Key Information at a Glance

• Fossil Type: Ammonite
• Species: Orthosphinctes ardescia
• Geological Age: Kimmeridgian, Jurassic (~157–152 million years old)
• Locality: Graffenberg, Germany
• Family: Perisphinctidae
• Order: Ammonitida
• Condition: Natural fossil with strong ribbing and excellent preservation
• Authenticity: Guaranteed with Certificate of Authenticity

This rare Orthosphinctes ardescia ammonite fossil from Graffenberg, Germany is a scientifically significant and visually striking specimen, perfect for fossil collectors, researchers, and enthusiasts of Jurassic natural history.