Description
Genuine Taramelliceras rigidum Ammonite Fossil
This is a genuine Taramelliceras rigidum ammonite fossil from the Malm Gamma, Upper Jurassic, Kimmeridgian Stage, collected from Alter Staffelberg in the Franconian Alps, Bavaria, Germany. This carefully chosen fossil specimen is an attractive and scientifically interesting piece for collectors of German ammonites, Upper Jurassic fossils, extinct marine cephalopods, natural history specimens, and well-labelled palaeontological display fossils.
The photograph shows the actual fossil you will receive, allowing you to view the individual preservation, shell form, surface detail, colour, matrix, and natural character of this specific specimen before purchase. Full sizing details can be seen in the photo. This fossil includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming it as a genuine specimen.
Fossil Type, Species and Scientific Classification
Taramelliceras rigidum is an ammonite, an extinct marine cephalopod belonging to the order Ammonitida. Ammonites were related to modern squid, cuttlefish, octopus, and nautilus, and are among the most recognisable fossils of the Jurassic Period. Their coiled shells, chambered internal structure, varied ornamentation, and rapid evolutionary development make them highly valued by fossil collectors and important in palaeontology.
This specimen belongs to the genus Taramelliceras and the species Taramelliceras rigidum. Taramelliceras is commonly associated with the family Oppeliidae, a Jurassic ammonite group often recognised for compressed shell forms, refined coiling, neat whorl proportions, and detailed surface ornamentation. Oppeliid ammonites are especially appealing to collectors who appreciate finely shaped ammonites with strong scientific context and classic Upper Jurassic provenance.
Geological Age, Malm Gamma and Kimmeridgian Context
This fossil dates from the Kimmeridgian Stage of the Upper Jurassic, approximately 157 to 152 million years ago. In southern German Jurassic stratigraphy, the Malm refers to Upper Jurassic rock units, with Malm Gamma representing part of the fossil-bearing Late Jurassic succession. These deposits record ancient marine environments that once covered parts of what is now Bavaria.
During the Kimmeridgian, ammonites such as Taramelliceras rigidum lived as active swimming marine animals. Their shells were divided into internal chambers, with the living animal occupying the outer body chamber. This chambered shell helped regulate buoyancy in the water column, allowing ammonites to move through Jurassic seas before their shells eventually settled onto the sea floor after death.
Alter Staffelberg, Franconian Alps Locality
This specimen comes from Alter Staffelberg in the Franconian Alps, Bavaria, Germany, a classic region for Upper Jurassic sedimentary rocks and fossil-bearing marine deposits. German Jurassic ammonites are highly collectable because they often come from well-studied European geological settings with strong scientific context, attractive preservation, and precise locality information.
During the Upper Jurassic, the Franconian Alps region was influenced by marine conditions connected to broader European seas. Carbonate-rich sediments, limestones, marls, and sea-floor deposits helped preserve the remains of ancient marine organisms. These environments supported ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoids, and other marine invertebrates. Over millions of years, mineralisation, compaction, and natural geological alteration preserved some shells as fossils within the sedimentary rock record.
Ammonite Morphology and Natural Features
Taramelliceras rigidum displays the classic planispiral ammonite shell form, with the shell coiled in a flat spiral. The whorls represent successive growth stages as the ammonite matured. Species of Taramelliceras are often admired for their compressed profile, balanced spiral outline, narrow to moderate umbilicus, and refined surface features.
The species name rigidum suggests a firm or strongly defined shell character, and specimens of this type may show neat whorl development, controlled coiling, fine ribbing or striation, shell curvature, natural mineral staining, matrix attachment, surface wear, or fossilisation texture. The outer shell shape, whorl proportions, ornament pattern, and umbilical structure are important features used in ammonite comparison and identification.
Natural details such as small fractures, sedimentary contact marks, worn areas, colour variation, mineral deposits, and matrix are part of the fossil’s geological history. These characteristics add individuality to the specimen and help distinguish a genuine natural fossil from a modern cast or replica.
Collecting, Display and Educational Interest
This Taramelliceras rigidum ammonite fossil is well suited for display in a fossil cabinet, study, classroom, office, collection drawer, natural history arrangement, or Upper Jurassic fossil collection. Its named species identification, Malm Gamma origin, Kimmeridgian age, German locality, and classic ammonite form give it strong collecting appeal.
It is suitable for collectors interested in German fossils, Jurassic ammonites, extinct cephalopods, marine invertebrates, palaeontology, geology, educational fossil specimens, and natural history display pieces. The natural coiled shell form gives the fossil immediate visual impact, while the species name, geological age, Malm Gamma stratigraphy, and Alter Staffelberg locality provide valuable scientific context for anyone interested in prehistoric marine environments.
Authenticity and Specimen Details
This is a genuine Taramelliceras rigidum ammonite fossil from the Malm Gamma, Upper Jurassic, Kimmeridgian Stage, Alter Staffelberg, Franconian Alps, Bavaria, Germany. It includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card. The photo shows the actual fossil you will receive, and full sizing information can be seen in the photo.
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