Description
This listing offers a rare Vascoceras costatum ammonite fossil, a remarkable specimen from the Lower Turonian stage of the Cretaceous period, discovered in Gombe, Nigeria. Ammonites were marine molluscs belonging to the subclass Ammonoidea, relatives of squid and octopus, which flourished in the oceans for over 300 million years before their extinction at the end of the Cretaceous.
The genus Vascoceras, and specifically the species costatum, is notable for its strong ribbing and robust shell form, making it both scientifically important and visually striking. The fossil is a genuine piece of natural history and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. The photos provided show the actual specimen you will receive, accompanied by a 1 cm scale cube for accurate sizing.
Geological Context and Age
The Lower Turonian (approximately 93.9–89.8 million years ago) is an interval within the Late Cretaceous epoch, directly following the Cenomanian. This was a period marked by very high global sea levels, which created shallow marine environments that supported diverse ammonite faunas.
The Gombe region in Nigeria is a significant site for Turonian fossils. Sedimentary deposits here record the rich marine life of the equatorial Cretaceous seas, where ammonites such as Vascoceras costatum thrived. As an index fossil, Vascoceras species are valuable for dating and correlating Turonian rock layers across different parts of the world.
Morphological Features of Vascoceras costatum
Vascoceras costatum is distinguished by:
- A moderately involute, planispiral shell.
- Prominent, strong costae (ribs) running across the whorls, from which its name is derived.
- A compressed, oval whorl section with visible ornamentation that provided strength and likely hydrodynamic benefits.
- Complex ammonitic suture lines, characteristic of advanced Cretaceous ammonites.
These features not only make the species recognizable but also contribute to its appeal for collectors and researchers alike.
Depositional Environment
During the Turonian, the Gombe area was submerged beneath a warm, shallow seaway. The fine-grained marine sediments preserved fossils in detail, often mineralising shell material and leaving behind robust impressions of ammonites and other marine organisms. Fossils from this region give insights into the paleogeography of West Africa during the mid-Cretaceous, when the continents were shifting toward their modern positions and the Atlantic Ocean was expanding.
Collectible and Scientific Significance
- Species: Vascoceras costatum
- Age: Lower Turonian, Late Cretaceous (~93.9–89.8 million years)
- Locality: Gombe, Nigeria
- Fossil Type: Ammonite (extinct cephalopod)
- Authenticity: 100% genuine, with Certificate of Authenticity
- Specimen: Exact fossil shown in photos (scale cube = 1 cm)
This ammonite fossil is both a rare collector’s specimen and a piece of scientific importance. Fossils of this quality from Nigeria are seldom available, making it a prized acquisition for dedicated collectors, educational collections, or as a unique natural history display.
Own an authentic piece of Cretaceous marine life with this rare Vascoceras costatum ammonite fossil from Gombe, Nigeria.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.