Fossil Ammonite Lytoceras cryptoceras Lower Hauterivian Cretaceous Poland COA
£ 24.00
AUTHENTIC FOSSIL AMMONITE – LYTOCERAS CRYPTOCERAS FROM POLANDThis listing offers a superb and rare fossil ammonite, Lytoceras cryptoceras,
dating from the Lower Hauterivian stage of the Early Cretaceous, approximately 132–129 million years old. This remarkable specimen comes from the fossil-rich deposits near Zalas, Poland, a locality renowned for yielding exceptionally preserved marine fossils. The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive, and it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing its genuine and historic origin. GEOLOGICAL SETTING – LOWER HAUTERIVIAN, EARLY CRETACEOUSThe Hauterivian stage forms part of the Early Cretaceous, following the Valanginian and preceding the Barremian. During this time, the region that is now Poland was covered by shallow epicontinental seas, linked to the vast Tethys Ocean. These seas created a stable marine environment that supported diverse molluscan faunas, including ammonites, bivalves, gastropods, and marine reptiles.The Zalas deposits are particularly significant because they preserve ammonites in fine-grained limestone and marl sediments, often retaining detailed morphological features that provide valuable insights into Early Cretaceous cephalopod evolution. SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Lytoceratoidea
• Family: Lytoceratidae
• Genus: Lytoceras
• Species: Lytoceras cryptocerasThis taxonomic placement highlights the ammonite’s connection to the Lytoceratidae, a family distinguished by their evolute shells and ornate suture patterns, key features for collectors and palaeontologists alike. MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURESLytoceras cryptoceras is renowned for its highly distinctive shell:
• Evolute coiling, with all whorls visible from the side.
• Relatively thin shell walls compared to other ammonite groups.
• Smooth to faintly ribbed ornamentation, producing a sleek, elegant form.
• Intricate suture lines, typical of the Lytoceratidae, with complex lobes and saddles that are highly valued for their decorative quality.
• Expanding whorls that broaden with growth, giving the fossil a striking spiral appearance.These features made Lytoceras a strong swimmer, well-adapted to the open marine environment. PALAEOECOLOGY – LIFE IN THE HAUTERIVIAN SEASAmmonites such as Lytoceras cryptoceras were nektonic carnivores, actively swimming and hunting within the shallow marine environments of the Early Cretaceous seas. Their chambered shells functioned as buoyancy devices, enabling them to control depth with precision.These seas teemed with life, including marine reptiles like ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs, along with shoals of fish and invertebrates. Ammonites played a crucial role in the marine food web and remain an essential fossil group for dating and correlating rock strata across different regions of Europe and beyond. COLLECTOR AND DISPLAY VALUEThis fossil ammonite from Zalas, Poland represents not only a scientifically valuable specimen but also a striking display piece. Its distinctive coiled form, elegant shell features, and age of over 130 million years make it a remarkable addition to any fossil collection.Collectors will particularly appreciate its provenance from a historically important fossil site, and educators can use it as a powerful teaching tool to illustrate ammonite diversity, Cretaceous marine life, and evolutionary biology. Whether displayed in a private collection, academic setting, or as a decorative piece, this specimen connects its owner directly to the ancient seas of the Early Cretaceous. PROVENANCE AND GUARANTEE
• Species: Lytoceras cryptoceras
• Age: Early Cretaceous, Lower Hauterivian (approx. 132–129 million years old)
• Location: Zalas, Poland
• Geological Formation: Hauterivian marine strataAll of our fossils are 100% genuine and are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. Each specimen is carefully chosen for quality and presentation. The photographs provided are of the actual fossil you will receive.This rare ammonite fossil, Lytoceras cryptoceras, from the Lower Hauterivian of Poland is a piece of natural history that embodies the beauty and mystery of Earth’s ancient oceans. A true collector’s treasure.
dating from the Lower Hauterivian stage of the Early Cretaceous, approximately 132–129 million years old. This remarkable specimen comes from the fossil-rich deposits near Zalas, Poland, a locality renowned for yielding exceptionally preserved marine fossils. The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive, and it comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing its genuine and historic origin. GEOLOGICAL SETTING – LOWER HAUTERIVIAN, EARLY CRETACEOUSThe Hauterivian stage forms part of the Early Cretaceous, following the Valanginian and preceding the Barremian. During this time, the region that is now Poland was covered by shallow epicontinental seas, linked to the vast Tethys Ocean. These seas created a stable marine environment that supported diverse molluscan faunas, including ammonites, bivalves, gastropods, and marine reptiles.The Zalas deposits are particularly significant because they preserve ammonites in fine-grained limestone and marl sediments, often retaining detailed morphological features that provide valuable insights into Early Cretaceous cephalopod evolution. SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Order: Ammonitida
• Superfamily: Lytoceratoidea
• Family: Lytoceratidae
• Genus: Lytoceras
• Species: Lytoceras cryptocerasThis taxonomic placement highlights the ammonite’s connection to the Lytoceratidae, a family distinguished by their evolute shells and ornate suture patterns, key features for collectors and palaeontologists alike. MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURESLytoceras cryptoceras is renowned for its highly distinctive shell:
• Evolute coiling, with all whorls visible from the side.
• Relatively thin shell walls compared to other ammonite groups.
• Smooth to faintly ribbed ornamentation, producing a sleek, elegant form.
• Intricate suture lines, typical of the Lytoceratidae, with complex lobes and saddles that are highly valued for their decorative quality.
• Expanding whorls that broaden with growth, giving the fossil a striking spiral appearance.These features made Lytoceras a strong swimmer, well-adapted to the open marine environment. PALAEOECOLOGY – LIFE IN THE HAUTERIVIAN SEASAmmonites such as Lytoceras cryptoceras were nektonic carnivores, actively swimming and hunting within the shallow marine environments of the Early Cretaceous seas. Their chambered shells functioned as buoyancy devices, enabling them to control depth with precision.These seas teemed with life, including marine reptiles like ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs, along with shoals of fish and invertebrates. Ammonites played a crucial role in the marine food web and remain an essential fossil group for dating and correlating rock strata across different regions of Europe and beyond. COLLECTOR AND DISPLAY VALUEThis fossil ammonite from Zalas, Poland represents not only a scientifically valuable specimen but also a striking display piece. Its distinctive coiled form, elegant shell features, and age of over 130 million years make it a remarkable addition to any fossil collection.Collectors will particularly appreciate its provenance from a historically important fossil site, and educators can use it as a powerful teaching tool to illustrate ammonite diversity, Cretaceous marine life, and evolutionary biology. Whether displayed in a private collection, academic setting, or as a decorative piece, this specimen connects its owner directly to the ancient seas of the Early Cretaceous. PROVENANCE AND GUARANTEE
• Species: Lytoceras cryptoceras
• Age: Early Cretaceous, Lower Hauterivian (approx. 132–129 million years old)
• Location: Zalas, Poland
• Geological Formation: Hauterivian marine strataAll of our fossils are 100% genuine and are accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. Each specimen is carefully chosen for quality and presentation. The photographs provided are of the actual fossil you will receive.This rare ammonite fossil, Lytoceras cryptoceras, from the Lower Hauterivian of Poland is a piece of natural history that embodies the beauty and mystery of Earth’s ancient oceans. A true collector’s treasure.
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