Rare Shapreiceras schlueteri Ammonite Fossil from Lower Cenomanian Cretaceous Ventnor Isle of Wight

Description

Geological Context

This fine Shapreiceras schlueteri ammonite fossil originates from the Lower Cenomanian Stage of the Cretaceous Period, approximately 100–94 million years ago. Discovered at Ventnor, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom, this specimen represents a time when much of southern England was submerged beneath shallow tropical seas. The Cenomanian marks the beginning of the Late Cretaceous, a period of global high sea levels and warm marine conditions that supported abundant marine life and left behind a rich fossil record.

Taxonomic Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Acanthoceratoidea
• Family: Acanthoceratidae
• Genus: Shapreiceras
• Species: Shapreiceras schlueteri

Belonging to the family Acanthoceratidae, Shapreiceras is part of a group of ammonites known for their ornate ribbing and tuberculate shells. These features not only contributed to their hydrodynamics but also serve as important diagnostic characteristics for palaeontologists.

Morphological Features

This specimen of Shapreiceras schlueteri exhibits:

• Strong ribbing that runs across the whorls, a hallmark of Cenomanian ammonites.
• Well-developed tubercles (nodes) along the rib intersections, which would have strengthened the shell and may have influenced buoyancy.
• A planispiral, moderately compressed shell with involute coiling, giving it a compact yet intricate appearance.
• Detailed suture patterns, visible in places, showcasing the complexity of the internal septal divisions characteristic of advanced ammonites.

These features not only enhance the fossil’s visual appeal but also provide valuable data for scientific study, helping researchers classify specimens and correlate geological strata across Europe.

Palaeoenvironment and Depositional Setting

During the Cenomanian, the Isle of Wight was part of a shallow marine shelf bordering the proto-Atlantic Ocean. Warm waters supported thriving ecosystems of ammonites, belemnites, marine reptiles, and early teleost fish. The sedimentary deposits at Ventnor, primarily chalks and marls, created excellent preservation conditions for ammonites such as Shapreiceras schlueteri.

The fossil’s preservation in fine-grained sediments has allowed the ribbing and tuberculation to be retained with clarity, offering a rare glimpse into the morphological adaptations of ammonites during this period.

Scientific and Collector Importance

• Index Fossil Significance: Shapreiceras schlueteri is a stratigraphically important ammonite, used by palaeontologists to define and correlate Lower Cenomanian deposits.
• Evolutionary Insight: Provides evidence of the diversification of ammonites in the Late Cretaceous seas.
• Collector’s Value: Its striking ornamentation and provenance from the Isle of Wight, one of the UK’s most famous fossil localities, make this specimen highly sought after.
• Educational Use: Ideal for teaching students about ammonite morphology, Cretaceous marine ecosystems, and biostratigraphy.

Authenticity and Presentation

• This is a 100% genuine fossil, guaranteed and supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity.
• The photographs show the exact specimen you will receive, not a stock image.
• A 1 cm scale cube is included in the images for accurate sizing reference.

This rare Shapreiceras schlueteri ammonite fossil from the Lower Cenomanian of Ventnor, Isle of Wight is a scientifically important and visually striking piece, perfect for both collectors and researchers interested in the Cretaceous seas of Britain.