Description
Age: Lower Jurassic
Species Name: Asteroceras confusumย
Order / Family: Ammonitida / Arietitidae
Locality: Lyme Regis,ย West Dorset, England, UK
Asteroceras obtusum zone
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Asteroceras confusum is one of the most desirable and iconic ammonite fossils found along the Jurassic Coast in the UK. This species features a beautifully coiled, evolute shell with well-defined curved ribs, and a pair of parallel keels presented on its venter. The fossil displays a remarkable level of preservation.
Asteroceras was a fast-moving, pelagic carnivore with a streamlined shell, likely swam freely in the shallow, open seas that blanketed much of modern-day Europe during the Jurassic period.
Ammonites, a group of marine cephalopods, thrived in the ancient seas for hundreds of millions of years, diversifying into countless species before their extinction at the close of the Cretaceous period, approximately 66 million years ago. These remarkable creatures, with their coiled, chambered shells, were not only well-adapted for survival but also beautifully engineered. Their shells provided vital protection from predators and acted as a buoyancy aid, enabling them to navigate the ocean depths with grace. As one of the most diverse and widespread prehistoric animals, ammonites left an enduring legacy in the fossil record, yet few are as striking or sought after as the genus Asteroceras.
Asteroceras stands out among ammonites, distinguished by its robust, relatively large shell. Smooth, rounded ribs ripple across the surface of the shell, lending it a polished, almost sculptural quality.
Age: Lower Jurassic
Species Name: Asteroceras confusumย
Order / Family: Ammonitida / Arietitidae
Locality: Lyme Regis,ย West Dorset, England, UK
Asteroceras obtusum zone
| Weight | 72.6 oz |
|---|---|
| Category | Ammonites |
| Age | Jurassic |
| Specimen Dimensions | Length: 8 cm |
| Matrix Dimensions | 16 cm x 20 cm x 4.3 cm Weight: 4 pounds 8.6 ounces |