Taramelliceras cf callicerum Ammonite Fossil Oxfordian France Genuine COA Fontenay-sur-Dive Vienne Jurassic Specimen


£ 24.00

GENUINE TARAMELLICERAS CF. CALLICERUM AMMONITE FOSSIL

This is a genuine Taramelliceras cf. callicerum ammonite fossil from the Upper
Jurassic, Middle Oxfordian, collected from Fontenay-sur-Dive, Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 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 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, GENUS AND SCIENTIFIC IDENTIFICATION

Taramelliceras cf. callicerum 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 collectors and important in palaeontology.

The identification Taramelliceras cf. callicerum means this fossil is comparable to Taramelliceras callicerum. The abbreviation “cf.” is used in scientific labelling when a specimen closely resembles a recognised species but is identified with careful caution, often because of preservation, natural wear, incomplete shell detail, or subtle variation. This gives the fossil strong scientific interest while keeping the identification appropriately precise.

Taramelliceras is commonly associated with the family Oppeliidae, a Jurassic ammonite group often recognised for compressed, elegant shell forms, refined coiling, and detailed surface ornamentation. Oppeliid ammonites are especially appealing to collectors who appreciate finely formed ammonites with strong scientific context and classic Upper Jurassic provenance.

GEOLOGICAL AGE AND MIDDLE OXFORDIAN CONTEXT

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

During the Middle 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.

FONTENAY-SUR-DIVE, VIENNE, FRANCE LOCALITY

This specimen comes from Fontenay-sur-Dive in Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. This region is known for Jurassic sedimentary rocks and fossil-bearing marine deposits that preserve evidence of ancient sea life from western France. 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 Oxfordian, the area that is now western France was influenced by shallow marine conditions, with carbonate-rich sediments, limestones, marls, and sea-floor deposits preserving the remains of marine organisms. These environments supported ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoids, and other invertebrates. Over millions of years, some shells became preserved as fossils within the sedimentary rock record.

AMMONITE MORPHOLOGY AND NATURAL FEATURES

Taramelliceras cf. callicerum 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, neat whorl shape, refined ornamentation, and balanced spiral form.

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 cf. callicerum 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 careful “cf.” identification, Middle 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 species comparison, geological age, and Fontenay-sur-Dive locality provide valuable scientific context for anyone interested in prehistoric marine environments.

AUTHENTICITY AND SPECIMEN DETAILS

This is a genuine Taramelliceras cf. callicerum ammonite fossil from the Upper Jurassic, Middle Oxfordian, Fontenay-sur-Dive, Vienne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, 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.