RARE Waehneoceras tenerum Fossil Ammonite – Hettangian Stage Jurassic – Lyme Regis Dorset UK – Alice Purnell Collection – Certified Genuine

Description

Offered here is a RARE and highly sought-after fossil ammonite: Waehneoceras tenerum, originating from the Hettangian Stage of the Early Jurassic Period, approximately 201–199 million years old. This beautifully preserved specimen was discovered at the world-renowned fossil site of Lyme Regis, Dorset, United Kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage location famed for its rich Lower Jurassic marine deposits.

This ammonite is from the Alice Purnell Collection, known for its curated and scientifically verified fossil specimens. The fossil you see in the photograph is the exact piece you will receive, and it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity for your assurance.

Scale Rule Squares / Cube = 1cm – please refer to the photo for full dimensions.

Geological and Palaeontological Information:

• Species: Waehneoceras tenerum
• Geological Period: Jurassic
• Stage: Hettangian (Early Jurassic)
• Age Range: ~201.3 – 199.3 million years ago
• Location: Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK
• Formation: Lower Lias Group
• Depositional Environment: Shallow marine shelf, rich in organic material and low-oxygen settings that allowed for exceptional preservation of ammonites and marine fauna

Taxonomic Classification:

• Family: Psiloceratidae
• Superfamily: Psiloceratoidea
• Order: Ammonitida
• Subclass: Ammonoidea
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Phylum: Mollusca

Morphology Features:

• Waehneoceras tenerum is known for its relatively small and tightly coiled shell, with fine ribbing and an often compressed, evolute form.
• Its delicate ornamentation and thin shell walls reflect its early Jurassic ancestry, linking it closely with evolutionary lines from the Psiloceratidae.
• This species is often considered to represent a transitional form, which provides key insight into the post-Triassic ammonite radiation following the End-Triassic extinction.

Biozone and Stratigraphy:

• Likely from the Psiloceras planorbis Biozone, which marks the base of the Jurassic and is a primary marker for the Hettangian Stage in global stratigraphy.
• Ammonites like Waehneoceras tenerum are essential biostratigraphic indicators used in defining the boundaries and divisions within the Lower Jurassic.

Notable Scientific Significance:

• Waehneoceras tenerum is an important genus in Early Jurassic ammonite studies, and rare complete specimens like this one are seldom found in private hands.
• This fossil represents an era of evolutionary diversification after a major extinction event and is often featured in academic studies and museum collections.
• Its presence in the renowned Lyme Regis fossil beds ties it directly to the historic legacy of Mary Anning’s pioneering discoveries.

Summary:

This is a genuine and rare fossil ammonite, Waehneoceras tenerum, collected from the Hettangian marine strata of Lyme Regis, Dorset, UK. It is a significant palaeontological specimen, both scientifically and aesthetically, and originates from the Alice Purnell Collection—making it ideal for collectors, educators, or museum-quality displays.

Additional Notes:

• All of our Fossils are 100% Genuine Specimens & come with a Certificate of Authenticity.
• The photo shows the actual specimen you will receive.
• Scale cube = 1cm for size reference.