Otoites contractus Ammonite Fossil Jurassic Dorset UK Genuine COA Card - Bajocian Inferior Oolite Collector Specimen
£ 60.00
Otoites contractus Ammonite Fossil from Dorset, UKThis is a genuine Otoites contractus ammonite fossil from the Inferior Oolite
Group, dating to the Middle Jurassic, Bajocian stage, collected from Dorset, UK. This carefully chosen fossil is a desirable British Jurassic marine cephalopod specimen, selected for its natural character, geological interest, and collectable display appeal. It is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, making it a trusted addition to an ammonite collection, fossil cabinet, natural history display, educational geology collection, or prehistoric gift selection.The photograph shows the actual fossil specimen you will receive. Full sizing and scale can be seen in the photo.Geological Age and FormationThis ammonite comes from the Inferior Oolite Group, one of the classic fossil-bearing Middle Jurassic rock units of southern England. It dates to the Bajocian stage, approximately 170 million years old, a time when ammonites were highly diverse and widespread in the warm marine seas of Europe. The Inferior Oolite Group is famous for its limestones, sandy limestones, iron-rich beds, shell fragments, and fossiliferous marine horizons.Across Dorset and neighbouring counties, the Inferior Oolite preserves an important record of Middle Jurassic marine life. These sediments were deposited in shallow to moderately deep seas, where carbonate mud, sand, shell debris, and iron-bearing minerals accumulated on the seabed. Fossils from this group are especially valued by collectors because they combine classic British provenance with strong geological context.Location: Dorset Jurassic Fossil LocalityThis specimen was collected from Dorset, UK, a county internationally known for its Jurassic fossils. Dorset’s inland quarries and coastal exposures have produced many important ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoids, crinoids, fish remains, and other marine fossils. The county forms part of one of Britain’s most celebrated fossil regions, with rocks that record changing marine environments across the Jurassic Period.During the Bajocian, Dorset was covered by warm Jurassic seas connected to wider European marine basins. The modern landscape of hills, valleys, cliffs, and quarries did not yet exist; instead, this area was part of an ancient seabed where ammonites and other marine animals lived, died, and were gradually preserved in sediment.Fossil Type and SpeciesThis fossil is identified as Otoites contractus, an extinct ammonite species from the Middle Jurassic. Ammonites were marine molluscs related to modern squid, cuttlefish, octopus, and nautilus. They had hard, coiled external shells divided internally into chambers. The living animal occupied the final outer body chamber, while the earlier chambers helped regulate buoyancy as the ammonite moved through the water column.Otoites is a recognised Bajocian ammonite genus and part of the diverse ammonoid cephalopod faunas of the Inferior Oolite Group. Ammonites such as Otoites are important to geology because their distinctive forms and rapid evolution make them useful for dating and correlating Jurassic rock layers.Morphology and Notable FeaturesOtoites contractus ammonites are appreciated for their classic Jurassic spiral form and attractive shell ornament. Depending on preservation, the specimen may show visible whorls, a defined central umbilicus, natural ribbing, shell texture, mineralisation, and growth detail formed as the ammonite developed through life. The coiled shell records each stage of growth, with new whorls added around the earlier centre of the shell.The internal shell was divided by chamber walls known as septa. Where these septa met the outer shell, they formed suture lines, which are important in ammonite classification. The whorl shape, ribbing, shell proportions, and overall form all contribute to the scientific and visual appeal of the fossil.As a genuine fossil, this specimen may show natural matrix, mineral staining, fossil shell texture, colour variation, weathering, small chips, cracks, or areas of natural wear caused by fossilisation and geological history. These features are normal for authentic fossils and add individuality to the piece. The photo shows the exact specimen being offered, allowing the buyer to view its preservation, condition, size, and display quality before purchase.Middle Jurassic Marine EnvironmentThis Otoites contractus ammonite lived in the warm Bajocian seas that covered Dorset during the Middle Jurassic. These marine environments supported a rich ecosystem of swimming cephalopods, fish, and seabed-dwelling invertebrates. Ammonites and belemnites moved through the water column, while bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoids, crinoids, and other organisms lived on or within the seabed.Ammonites were active swimming or drifting animals, likely feeding on small prey using tentacles. After death, the shell could settle onto the sea floor and become buried by sediment. Over millions of years, compaction, mineralisation, and geological change transformed the shell and surrounding sediment into fossil-bearing rock. This fossil is a direct link to the ancient Inferior Oolite seas of Dorset, when dinosaurs lived on land and ammonites flourished in the oceans.Authenticity and CollectabilityThis Otoites contractus ammonite fossil is a genuine specimen from Dorset, UK, dating to the Bajocian stage of the Middle Jurassic within the Inferior Oolite Group. It is suitable for collectors of British fossils, Dorset fossils, Jurassic ammonites, Inferior Oolite fossils, marine cephalopods, natural history specimens, educational geology pieces, and display fossils.This carefully selected fossil includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, and the fossil shown in the photo is the actual specimen you will receive.
Group, dating to the Middle Jurassic, Bajocian stage, collected from Dorset, UK. This carefully chosen fossil is a desirable British Jurassic marine cephalopod specimen, selected for its natural character, geological interest, and collectable display appeal. It is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, making it a trusted addition to an ammonite collection, fossil cabinet, natural history display, educational geology collection, or prehistoric gift selection.The photograph shows the actual fossil specimen you will receive. Full sizing and scale can be seen in the photo.Geological Age and FormationThis ammonite comes from the Inferior Oolite Group, one of the classic fossil-bearing Middle Jurassic rock units of southern England. It dates to the Bajocian stage, approximately 170 million years old, a time when ammonites were highly diverse and widespread in the warm marine seas of Europe. The Inferior Oolite Group is famous for its limestones, sandy limestones, iron-rich beds, shell fragments, and fossiliferous marine horizons.Across Dorset and neighbouring counties, the Inferior Oolite preserves an important record of Middle Jurassic marine life. These sediments were deposited in shallow to moderately deep seas, where carbonate mud, sand, shell debris, and iron-bearing minerals accumulated on the seabed. Fossils from this group are especially valued by collectors because they combine classic British provenance with strong geological context.Location: Dorset Jurassic Fossil LocalityThis specimen was collected from Dorset, UK, a county internationally known for its Jurassic fossils. Dorset’s inland quarries and coastal exposures have produced many important ammonites, belemnites, bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoids, crinoids, fish remains, and other marine fossils. The county forms part of one of Britain’s most celebrated fossil regions, with rocks that record changing marine environments across the Jurassic Period.During the Bajocian, Dorset was covered by warm Jurassic seas connected to wider European marine basins. The modern landscape of hills, valleys, cliffs, and quarries did not yet exist; instead, this area was part of an ancient seabed where ammonites and other marine animals lived, died, and were gradually preserved in sediment.Fossil Type and SpeciesThis fossil is identified as Otoites contractus, an extinct ammonite species from the Middle Jurassic. Ammonites were marine molluscs related to modern squid, cuttlefish, octopus, and nautilus. They had hard, coiled external shells divided internally into chambers. The living animal occupied the final outer body chamber, while the earlier chambers helped regulate buoyancy as the ammonite moved through the water column.Otoites is a recognised Bajocian ammonite genus and part of the diverse ammonoid cephalopod faunas of the Inferior Oolite Group. Ammonites such as Otoites are important to geology because their distinctive forms and rapid evolution make them useful for dating and correlating Jurassic rock layers.Morphology and Notable FeaturesOtoites contractus ammonites are appreciated for their classic Jurassic spiral form and attractive shell ornament. Depending on preservation, the specimen may show visible whorls, a defined central umbilicus, natural ribbing, shell texture, mineralisation, and growth detail formed as the ammonite developed through life. The coiled shell records each stage of growth, with new whorls added around the earlier centre of the shell.The internal shell was divided by chamber walls known as septa. Where these septa met the outer shell, they formed suture lines, which are important in ammonite classification. The whorl shape, ribbing, shell proportions, and overall form all contribute to the scientific and visual appeal of the fossil.As a genuine fossil, this specimen may show natural matrix, mineral staining, fossil shell texture, colour variation, weathering, small chips, cracks, or areas of natural wear caused by fossilisation and geological history. These features are normal for authentic fossils and add individuality to the piece. The photo shows the exact specimen being offered, allowing the buyer to view its preservation, condition, size, and display quality before purchase.Middle Jurassic Marine EnvironmentThis Otoites contractus ammonite lived in the warm Bajocian seas that covered Dorset during the Middle Jurassic. These marine environments supported a rich ecosystem of swimming cephalopods, fish, and seabed-dwelling invertebrates. Ammonites and belemnites moved through the water column, while bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoids, crinoids, and other organisms lived on or within the seabed.Ammonites were active swimming or drifting animals, likely feeding on small prey using tentacles. After death, the shell could settle onto the sea floor and become buried by sediment. Over millions of years, compaction, mineralisation, and geological change transformed the shell and surrounding sediment into fossil-bearing rock. This fossil is a direct link to the ancient Inferior Oolite seas of Dorset, when dinosaurs lived on land and ammonites flourished in the oceans.Authenticity and CollectabilityThis Otoites contractus ammonite fossil is a genuine specimen from Dorset, UK, dating to the Bajocian stage of the Middle Jurassic within the Inferior Oolite Group. It is suitable for collectors of British fossils, Dorset fossils, Jurassic ammonites, Inferior Oolite fossils, marine cephalopods, natural history specimens, educational geology pieces, and display fossils.This carefully selected fossil includes a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, and the fossil shown in the photo is the actual specimen you will receive.
