Taramelliceras sp Ammonite Fossil Upper Oxfordian France Genuine COA Jurassic Ardèche Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Specimen

Description

Genuine Taramelliceras sp. Ammonite Fossil

This is a genuine Taramelliceras sp. ammonite fossil from the Upper Jurassic, Upper Oxfordian, collected from Ardèche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France. This carefully chosen fossil specimen is an attractive and scientifically interesting piece for collectors of French 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, Genus and Scientific Classification

Taramelliceras sp. 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 is identified to genus level as Taramelliceras sp., meaning it belongs to the genus Taramelliceras while the exact species is not specified. Genus-level identification is still highly useful for collectors, especially when combined with clear geological age and locality information. Taramelliceras is commonly associated with the family Oppeliidae, a group of Jurassic ammonites often recognised for compressed, elegant shell forms, refined coiling, and detailed surface ornamentation.

Geological Age and Upper Oxfordian Context

This fossil dates from the Upper Oxfordian, the later part of the Oxfordian Stage within the Upper Jurassic. The Oxfordian occurred approximately 164 to 157 million years ago and was a time of widespread marine environments across Europe. Ammonites were abundant and diverse during this interval, making them important fossils for comparing and dating Jurassic sedimentary rocks.

During the Upper Oxfordian, ammonites such as Taramelliceras lived as active swimming marine animals. Their chambered shells helped regulate buoyancy in the water column, while the living animal occupied the outer body chamber. After death, the shell could settle onto the sea floor, become buried by sediment, and eventually fossilise through mineralisation, compaction, and natural geological alteration.

Ardèche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Locality

This specimen comes from Ardèche in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France, an area known for important Jurassic sedimentary rocks and fossil-bearing marine deposits. French Jurassic ammonites are popular with collectors because they represent classic European marine faunas and provide well-contextualised specimens from significant geological intervals.

During the Upper Jurassic, the region that is now south-eastern France was influenced by marine conditions connected to broader European and Tethyan 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.

Ammonite Morphology and Natural Features

Taramelliceras ammonites display the classic planispiral ammonite shell form, with the shell coiled in a flat spiral. The whorls represent successive growth stages as the ammonite matured. Ammonites of this genus are often admired for their compressed profile, neat whorl shape, refined ornamentation, and balanced spiral appearance.

Depending on preservation, this fossil may show whorl shape, fine ribbing, striated ornament, 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 give the specimen individuality and help distinguish a genuine natural fossil from a modern cast or replica.

Collecting, Display and Educational Interest

This Taramelliceras sp. 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 genus-level identification, Upper Oxfordian age, French origin, and classic ammonite form give it strong collecting appeal.

It is suitable for collectors interested in French 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 geological age and Ardèche locality provide valuable scientific context for anyone interested in prehistoric marine environments.

Authenticity and Specimen Details

This is a genuine Taramelliceras sp. ammonite fossil from the Upper Jurassic, Upper Oxfordian, Ardèche, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France. 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.