Description
Sonninia sp. Ammonite Fossil – Middle Jurassic Marine Fossil from the Isle of Skye, Scotland
This genuine Sonninia sp. ammonite fossil comes from the Bearreraig Sandstone Formation at Bearreraig Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland, UK. Dating to the Lower Bajocian Stage of the Middle Jurassic, this specimen represents a classic British Jurassic marine fossil from one of Scotland’s most important fossil-bearing regions. It is a carefully chosen fossil specimen, with the photo showing the actual piece you will receive. Full sizing can be seen in the photo. This authentic fossil also includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, making it an excellent choice for collectors of ammonites, Scottish fossils, Jurassic marine fossils and natural history display specimens.
Geology and Age
The Bearreraig Sandstone Formation is a well-known Middle Jurassic geological unit on the Isle of Skye, particularly famous for its ammonites and other marine fossils. Bearreraig Bay has long been recognised as an important fossil locality, preserving evidence of the seas that covered this part of Scotland during the Jurassic Period.
This specimen dates to the Lower Bajocian, an early part of the Middle Jurassic, when ammonites were highly diverse and rapidly evolving. The Bajocian is especially important in ammonite studies because many ammonite groups changed quickly through time, making them useful for dating and correlating Jurassic rock layers.
The Bearreraig Sandstone Formation was deposited in a marine environment, with sandy sediments accumulating in shallow to moderately deep seas. These Jurassic waters supported a rich ecosystem of ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, gastropods and other marine animals. Over millions of years, shells and other remains were buried, compacted and mineralised, preserving them as fossils within the rock.
Fossil Type and Species
This specimen is identified as Sonninia sp., meaning it belongs to the genus Sonninia while the exact species is left open. Sonninia is a classic Middle Jurassic ammonite genus, well represented in Bajocian marine deposits. Ammonites were extinct cephalopods related to modern squid, cuttlefish and nautilus. They had coiled, chambered shells, with the living animal occupying the final outer body chamber while the internal chambers helped regulate buoyancy.
Sonninia belongs to the order Ammonitida and is commonly associated with the family Sonniniidae and superfamily Hildoceratoidea. Members of this group are recognised for their attractive Jurassic ammonite form and are often valued by collectors for their strong ribbing, coiled shape and association with important Bajocian fossil zones.
Morphology and Natural Features
Sonninia ammonites typically show a planispiral shell, meaning the shell coils in a flat spiral. Many examples display strong ribbing across the whorls, with ribs that may be straight, slightly curved or more pronounced depending on the species and preservation. The shell form can vary from moderately compressed to more robust, giving Sonninia specimens a distinctive and highly collectible appearance.
Like other ammonites, Sonninia had a chambered shell divided by internal walls called septa. These chambers helped the animal control buoyancy in the water column, while the outer body chamber housed the living cephalopod. The complex suture lines formed where the septa met the shell wall are important features in ammonite classification and are part of what makes these fossils so scientifically interesting.
As a living animal, Sonninia would have moved through Jurassic seas as part of a diverse marine ecosystem. It likely fed as an active predator or opportunistic hunter, using its cephalopod anatomy to capture small marine animals. After death, the shell settled into sediment on the sea floor, where burial and mineralisation allowed it to survive for around 170 million years.
Collector Appeal
A Sonninia ammonite from the Bearreraig Sandstone Formation of the Isle of Skye is a desirable fossil for collectors of British ammonites, Scottish fossils and Middle Jurassic marine life. Skye fossils are especially popular because the island is one of the most famous Jurassic fossil regions in Scotland, with a strong reputation for scientifically important ammonites, marine reptiles and other prehistoric remains.
This specimen is ideal for a fossil cabinet, geology display, educational collection, natural history collection or themed display of UK Jurassic fossils. Its locality at Bearreraig Bay gives it excellent geological interest, while its ammonite form makes it instantly recognisable as a classic prehistoric marine fossil.
Authenticity and Presentation
This is a genuine fossil specimen and includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card for buyer confidence. The fossil has been carefully selected, and the listing photograph shows the actual specimen you will receive, allowing buyers to view its natural preservation, individual character and display quality before purchase.
This authentic Middle Jurassic Sonninia sp. ammonite fossil from the Bearreraig Sandstone Formation at Bearreraig Bay, Isle of Skye, Scotland is a superb addition for fossil collectors, ammonite enthusiasts, geology displays and anyone seeking a genuine piece of British Jurassic marine history.
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