Ammonites
Ammonites of the South West.
I am greatly indebted to Mr White, a retired carpentry teacher in Mere, Wiltshire, who many years ago took me under his wing and decided to further my interest in fossils by visits to his own (very impressive) collection, along with fossil trips to the local quarry. I last saw him in 2001, but for a few years afterwards he continued to gift me with specimens he already had examples of. Any fossil marked with a bold 'W' have originally been in his collection, and any description with the fossil have been revised from his own hand written notes.
| Most specimens on this page originate from the Lower Inferior Oolite of the Beaminster/Sherborne areas of Dorset. Hence they are from the upper Aalenian and Lower Bajocian stages of the Jurrassic. |
(And yes, henceforth I decree that the standard PP3 nine volt battery is to be an internationally recognised reference for measurement.)
Harpoceras sp.
Teloceras blagdeni
Below: Another (larger) specimen of this species after initial repair. Lesson learnt: Inferior Oolite is hard stuff and one should be careful with ones chisel! This will be cleaned and varnished in due course. (Why? Because it protects and stablisises the fossil? No. Because it becomes shiny and less likely to be 'spring cleaned' into oblivion).
Remember: Fossils are not family-friendly objects! Keep out of reach of small children, or adults with child-like curiosity!
Amaltheus stokesi (W)
Awwr! A family photo of the fossil shelf! In the centre is a specimen of Amaltheus stokesi, prepped on it's inferior Oolite matrix to create a pedestal, allowing it to stand up-right (important as the shelf backing is rather flimsy and won't take much more weight leaning on it).
Although not particularly well shown in this example, the species has strong ribbing leading to a distinctive 'rope plait' keel. Other fossils visible are Ludwigia on the left and Dactylioceras, from the lower chalk, middle right.
Ludwigia murchisonae (W)
Two specimens of this large and unornamented ammonite. Despite being rather plain their size makes up for it! No ribbing with a very narrow profile. The specimen on the right has had some restoration with hollows being infilled with resin.
Garantiana cf. garantiana
(Cf.: 'Compares favourably' (not exactly, but the easiest way to remember this abbreviation) ).
This particular specimen had to go to the British Museam (Natural History) for identification, and I am now fairly confident with this 'diagnosis', as it were. A pretty little ammonite, it could do with a dusting! (Not a feature to be used for general identification!).
Well rounded profile, as can be seen the ribs branch and are bisected by the simple keel.
Left: Harpoceras sp., a pretty ammonite from the Inferior Oolite. The genus is generally finely ribbed with a distinctive 'sickle' bend to them. There is virtually no keel in most species of this genus.
Note: 'Sp.' Means that although the fossil belongs to this genus, I am unsure of it's exact species.
Above and below left: Teloceras blagdeni, a wonderful ammonite from the Inferior Oolite. This particular example was rescued off a spoil heap (collecting the easy way!) but has suffered severe damage to it's far side. Both examples of this species have damaged centre whorls.
Prominent ridges on the edges of the outer whorls, with close fine ribbing extending across the shell.. This species is very broad with no keel.
