Description

VERY RARE 13″ Pagassiceras (Primarieites) reynesi Fossil Ammonite with Attached Gryphaea Shells – Lower Sinemurian, Jurassic, Germany

An exceptional and highly displayable 13-inch Pagassiceras (Primarieites) reynesi fossil ammonite preserving naturally attached Gryphaea oyster shells, collected from Lower Sinemurian Jurassic deposits of Germany. Specimens of this size and quality are seldom encountered, making this a remarkable addition for collectors of Jurassic ammonites, palaeontology enthusiasts, museums, educational collections, and natural history displays.

This is the actual fossil you will receive, carefully selected for its outstanding preservation, impressive presentation, and scientific interest. Every specimen is supplied with a fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity, confirming that it is a genuine natural fossil. Originating from the respected Alice Purnell Collection, this specimen also benefits from a distinguished collection history, adding further appeal to collectors.

Please refer to the photographs for the exact dimensions and condition, as they show the precise specimen being offered.

Geological Age and Jurassic Provenance

This fossil originates from the Lower Sinemurian Stage of the Early Jurassic Period, approximately 199 to 196 million years ago. During this interval, much of present-day Germany was submerged beneath a warm, shallow epicontinental sea that supported a rich diversity of marine life.

The fine marine sediments deposited in these environments provided ideal conditions for the burial and preservation of ammonites, bivalves, echinoderms, brachiopods, and numerous other marine organisms. These sediments later lithified into fossil-bearing limestones and marls renowned throughout Europe for their exceptionally preserved Jurassic fauna.

The Lower Sinemurian is internationally recognised as one of the most important intervals for ammonite biostratigraphy, with rapidly evolving ammonite species providing highly accurate correlation between Jurassic rock sequences across Europe.

Fossil Species – Pagassiceras (Primarieites) reynesi

Pagassiceras (Primarieites) reynesi is an uncommon ammonite belonging to the subclass Ammonoidea, an extinct group of cephalopods closely related to modern squid, cuttlefish and nautiluses.

Taxonomically, the genus is placed within:

• Class: Cephalopoda
• Subclass: Ammonoidea
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Psiloceratoidea
• Family: Schlotheimiidae
• Subgenus: Primarieites
• Species: Pagassiceras (Primarieites) reynesi

This species is characterised by its elegant involute coiling, strong whorl development and well-defined ribbing that becomes increasingly pronounced during growth. The shell exhibits balanced proportions with ornamentation that reflects adaptations to life as an active nektonic predator within Jurassic seas.

Like other ammonites, it possessed a chambered shell divided by intricate septa. As the animal matured, it occupied only the outermost living chamber while the inner chambers were filled with gas and liquid, enabling precise buoyancy regulation.

The complex internal suture patterns characteristic of ammonites provided additional shell strength while allowing relatively lightweight construction, representing one of the defining evolutionary innovations of the Ammonoidea.

Naturally Attached Gryphaea Shells

One of the most striking features of this specimen is the presence of naturally attached Gryphaea shells, adding both rarity and palaeoecological significance.

Gryphaea, commonly known as the “Devil’s Toenail,” was an extinct marine oyster that flourished during the Jurassic. These thick-shelled bivalves commonly lived attached to firm substrates on the seabed, filtering microscopic food particles from seawater.

Their association with the ammonite provides valuable evidence of life on the Jurassic sea floor and demonstrates how marine organisms often became preserved together within the same depositional environment. Such naturally associated fossils create visually impressive display pieces while illustrating authentic ecological relationships from nearly 200 million years ago.

Ancient Jurassic Marine Environment

During the Early Jurassic, the marine basin covering Germany supported abundant cephalopods, marine reptiles, crinoids, echinoderms, brachiopods, oysters and numerous other invertebrates.

Pagassiceras would have been an active swimmer inhabiting open marine waters above the sea floor, using jet propulsion to pursue small crustaceans, fish and other prey. Following death, its shell descended to the seabed where it became incorporated into fine carbonate muds. Over millions of years, burial, mineralisation and lithification preserved both the ammonite and associated Gryphaea shells in remarkable detail.

These fossil-bearing deposits provide invaluable insight into Early Jurassic marine ecosystems and continue to be among Europe’s most scientifically important fossil localities.

Display Quality and Collectability

With an impressive diameter of approximately 13 inches, this specimen possesses exceptional visual impact suitable for serious fossil collections, museums, educational institutions, interior displays and natural history exhibitions.

Its combination of substantial size, identifiable species, authentic German provenance, Lower Sinemurian age, naturally associated Gryphaea shells and provenance from the Alice Purnell Collection makes it significantly more desirable than typical commercial ammonite specimens.

Large identified ammonites preserving associated marine fauna are increasingly sought after by collectors due to their rarity, scientific interest and decorative appeal.

Authenticity

This fossil is a 100% genuine natural specimen and is not a cast or reproduction.

Included with your purchase is a fully hand-signed Premium Certificate of Authenticity, providing confidence in the specimen’s genuine geological origin and collectible status.

The photographs show the exact fossil you will receive, allowing you to purchase with complete confidence. Every specimen is individually selected for its quality, preservation, natural beauty and scientific significance, ensuring an outstanding addition to any fossil or natural history collection.