Taramelliceras trachinotum Ammonite Fossil Kimmeridgian France Genuine COA Jurassic Crussol Ardèche Collectable Specimen


£ 18.00

GENUINE TARAMELLICERAS TRACHINOTUM AMMONITE FOSSIL

This is a genuine Taramelliceras trachinotum ammonite fossil from the Upper
Jurassic, Kimmeridgian Stage, collected from Crussol, Ardèche, France. This carefully chosen fossil specimen is an attractive and scientifically interesting piece for collectors of French ammonites, 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, 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 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.

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 elegant, compressed 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 KIMMERIDGIAN CONTEXT

This fossil dates from the Kimmeridgian Stage of the Upper Jurassic, approximately 157 to 152 million years ago. The Kimmeridgian was a period of extensive marine environments across Europe, with ammonites forming an abundant and diverse part of ancient sea life. Because ammonites evolved quickly and were widely distributed, many species are useful for comparing and dating Jurassic sedimentary rocks.

During the 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 long-term geological alteration.

CRUSSOL, ARDÈCHE, FRANCE LOCALITY

This specimen 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 linked to the wider Tethyan and European 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 invertebrates. Over millions of years, some shells became preserved as fossils within the sedimentary rock record.

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 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 features add individuality to the specimen 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, Kimmeridgian 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 name, geological age, 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 Upper Jurassic, 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.