Description
Genuine Taramelliceras trachinotum Ammonite Fossil
This is a genuine Taramelliceras trachinotum ammonite fossil from the Lower Kimmeridge Clay Formation, Upper Jurassic, Lower Kimmeridgian Stage, collected from Crussol, Ardèche, France. This carefully chosen specimen is an appealing and scientifically interesting fossil for collectors of French ammonites, Upper Jurassic fossils, extinct marine cephalopods, natural history specimens, and well-labelled geological display pieces.
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 trachinotum is an ammonite, an extinct marine cephalopod belonging to the order Ammonitida. Ammonites were related to modern squid, cuttlefish, octopus, and nautilus, and they are among the most recognisable fossils of the Jurassic Period. Their coiled shells, chambered internal structure, varied ornamentation, and rapid evolutionary changes make them highly valued by fossil collectors and important in palaeontology.
This specimen belongs to the genus Taramelliceras and the species Taramelliceras trachinotum. 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. Oppeliid ammonites are particularly appealing to collectors who appreciate finely shaped ammonites with strong scientific context and classic Upper Jurassic provenance.
Geological Age and Lower Kimmeridgian Context
This fossil dates from the Lower Kimmeridgian, the early part of the Kimmeridgian Stage within the Upper Jurassic. The Kimmeridgian occurred approximately 157 to 152 million years ago and was a time of widespread marine environments across Europe. Ammonites were abundant and diverse during this interval, making them valuable fossils for comparing and dating Jurassic sedimentary rocks.
During the Lower Kimmeridgian, ammonites such as Taramelliceras trachinotum 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.
Lower Kimmeridge Clay Formation and Depositional Environment
This specimen is recorded from the Lower Kimmeridge Clay Formation, a fossil-bearing Upper Jurassic unit associated with marine clay, mudstone, marl, and limestone-rich horizons. Kimmeridge Clay deposits are well known for preserving marine fossils and for recording ancient sea-floor conditions from the Late Jurassic.
The depositional environment would have been marine, with fine sediment accumulating on the sea floor. Such settings could preserve ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoids, and other marine invertebrates. Fine-grained sediment helped cover and protect shells after death, while later mineralisation and compaction preserved some ammonites as fossils.
Crussol, Ardèche, France Locality
This fossil comes from Crussol in Ardèche, France, a locality associated with important Jurassic sedimentary rocks and fossil-bearing marine deposits. French Upper 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. These environments supported a wide range of marine life and produced sedimentary layers that later preserved ammonites and other fossils.
Ammonite Morphology and Natural Features
Taramelliceras trachinotum displays the classic planispiral ammonite shell form, with the shell coiled in a flat spiral. The whorls represent successive stages of growth as the ammonite matured. Species of Taramelliceras 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 trachinotum 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, Lower Kimmeridge Clay Formation origin, Lower Kimmeridgian age, French locality, 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 species name, geological formation, and Crussol locality provide valuable scientific context for anyone interested in prehistoric marine environments.
Authenticity and Specimen Details
This is a genuine Taramelliceras trachinotum ammonite fossil from the Lower Kimmeridge Clay Formation, Upper Jurassic, Lower Kimmeridgian Stage, Crussol, Ardèche, 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.
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