Watinoceras amaduriense Ammonite Fossil Cretaceous Upper Cenomanian UK Genuine Specimen with COA

Description

Watinoceras amaduriense Ammonite from Southerham Grey Pit, United Kingdom

This fine ammonite fossil represents Watinoceras amaduriense, a significant species from the Upper Cenomanian stage of the Cretaceous period. Found in the Southerham Grey Pit, United Kingdom, this specimen is a scientifically valuable and visually striking piece that reflects the rich marine history of Britain’s Cretaceous seas. Carefully chosen for its quality, this fossil is 100% genuine and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. The exact fossil shown in the photographs is the one you will receive, with a 1 cm scale cube included to provide accurate size reference.

Geological Age and Locality

The fossil dates to the Upper Cenomanian, approximately 98 to 94 million years ago. This was a period of high global sea levels, when much of southern England lay beneath a shallow, warm epicontinental sea. The Southerham Grey Pit, near Lewes in East Sussex, is a classic British fossil locality, noted for its Upper Cenomanian chalk deposits that preserve an abundance of ammonites, inoceramid bivalves, and other marine organisms. These deposits have long been studied by paleontologists for their exceptional fossil record and their value in refining Cretaceous biostratigraphy.

Taxonomy and Classification

Watinoceras amaduriense belongs to the order Ammonitida, within the superfamily Acanthoceratoidea and family Acanthoceratidae. The genus Watinoceras is especially important in paleontology as it serves as a zonal index fossil for the Upper Cenomanian. Its well-defined biozones are used to correlate rock layers across Europe and beyond. This makes specimens of Watinoceras scientifically significant, as they are key markers in understanding the timing and development of Late Cretaceous marine sequences.

Morphological Features

This ammonite fossil displays the characteristic traits of Watinoceras amaduriense. The shell is strongly ribbed, with bold ribs running across the flanks and terminating in ventrolateral tubercles, giving it a robust and ornate appearance. The coiling is moderately involute, with the whorls overlapping to create a solid, compact structure. Such features provided both strength and hydrodynamic stability, allowing the animal to thrive as a free-swimming predator in mid-Cretaceous seas. The distinctive ornamentation makes this species highly recognisable and desirable for collectors.

Paleoenvironment and Ecology

During the Cenomanian, the region now known as southern England was submerged beneath a shallow marine environment that supported a rich diversity of life. Watinoceras amaduriense would have been an active nektonic predator, swimming in the water column and feeding on small crustaceans, mollusks, and other marine invertebrates. Its abundance in Southerham Grey Pit deposits reflects its success as part of the thriving ecosystem of the Upper Cenomanian seas. The fossil record from this locality provides key evidence for reconstructing ancient food webs and marine environments during one of the warmest intervals of the Cretaceous.

Collector’s Value and Authenticity

This Watinoceras amaduriense ammonite fossil is not only a scientifically important specimen but also a beautiful and distinctive piece for display. Its strong ribbing and ventrolateral tubercles are clearly preserved, offering both visual appeal and research value. Each fossil we sell is individually photographed, ensuring that buyers receive the exact specimen shown. The 1 cm scale cube in the photo provides accurate size reference, and a Certificate of Authenticity is included with every piece.

Owning this ammonite allows you to hold a genuine 95-million-year-old relic of Earth’s history, a striking fossil from the world-famous Upper Cenomanian chalk deposits of Southerham Grey Pit, United Kingdom. It is an exceptional specimen for collectors, educators, and anyone with a fascination for natural history.