Description Sonninia aff. fisticarinata Ammonite Fossil – Inferior Oolite Group, Middle Jurassic, Milborne Wick, Dorset This genuine Sonninia aff. fisticarinata ammonite fossil is a carefully chosen Middle Jurassic specimen from the Inferior Oolite Group at Milborne Wick, Dorset, UK. Dating to the Bajocian Stage of the Middle Jurassic, specifically the basal Sauzei Zone, this fossil represents an excellent example of a British Jurassic ammonite from one of Dorset’s important Inferior Oolite localities. The fossil shown in the photographs is the actual specimen you will receive. Full sizing please see photo. This specimen is supplied with a Certificate of Authenticity lifetime guarantee generic card, confirming that it is a genuine fossil suitable for collectors, educational use, display cabinets, geology collections, natural history gifts, and specialist ammonite collections. Fossil Type and Species This specimen is identified as Sonninia aff. fisticarinata. The abbreviation “aff.” means the fossil shows close affinity with Sonninia fisticarinata, while allowing for natural variation, preservation differences, or incomplete diagnostic features. This makes it a carefully described fossil identification rather than an over-stated certainty, which is important for accurate fossil collecting and palaeontological labelling. Sonninia is a classic Middle Jurassic ammonite genus, particularly associated with the Bajocian seas of Europe. Ammonites were extinct marine cephalopods related to modern squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus. They had coiled, chambered shells divided into internal compartments, which helped control buoyancy as the animal moved through the water column. Their attractive spiral form, rapid evolution, and widespread distribution make ammonites some of the most important fossils for dating Jurassic rocks. Geological Age, Zone and Formation This fossil comes from the Inferior Oolite Group, a well-known Middle Jurassic sequence that is exposed across parts of southern and western England. The specimen dates to the Bajocian Stage, approximately 170 million years old, and is recorded from the basal Sauzei Zone. The Sauzei Zone is an important ammonite biozone within the Lower Bajocian, used by geologists to place fossil-bearing beds into a more precise geological timeframe. Ammonite biozones are especially valuable because ammonites evolved quickly and many species had broad marine distributions. A fossil recorded from the basal Sauzei Zone therefore has added scientific and collecting interest, as it can be positioned within a narrow interval of Middle Jurassic time. This gives the specimen stronger provenance than a fossil listed only as “Jurassic” or “ammonite”. The Inferior Oolite Group was deposited in warm, shallow marine conditions. During the Bajocian, what is now Dorset was covered by a Jurassic sea where carbonate sediments, shell debris, ooids, iron-rich material, and marine invertebrate remains accumulated on the sea floor. These conditions preserved a rich fossil fauna including ammonites, bivalves, brachiopods, gastropods, echinoids, corals, and other marine life. Location – Milborne Wick, Dorset, UK Milborne Wick in Dorset is a desirable locality for collectors of British Jurassic fossils. Inland Dorset exposures such as Milborne Wick provide important evidence of the Middle Jurassic marine environments that once extended across southern England. Fossils from this area are valued not only for their age and preservation, but also for their precise local provenance within the Inferior Oolite Group. A fossil from Milborne Wick is especially appealing to collectors who focus on Dorset fossils, British ammonites, Inferior Oolite specimens, Bajocian ammonites, or Jurassic marine life. The combination of a named ammonite genus, affinity-level species identification, basal Sauzei Zone age, and Dorset locality makes this a well-documented and collectable specimen. Morphology and Collecting Interest Sonninia ammonites are generally recognised by their coiled planispiral shell form, ribbed ornament, and distinctive Bajocian ammonite profile. Depending on preservation, specimens may show curved ribbing, whorl development, shell compression, and traces of the original chambered structure. These features record the growth of the ammonite shell and help distinguish related forms within the group. The form identified as aff. fisticarinata is of particular interest because it compares with a more specific Sonninia species while preserving the caution expected in accurate fossil identification. This makes it suitable for collectors who appreciate scientifically responsible labelling as well as display appeal. Its Middle Jurassic age, fossil-rich formation, and basal Sauzei Zone provenance make it a strong addition to a British ammonite collection. Authenticity and Display All of our fossils are 100% genuine specimens and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. This Sonninia aff. fisticarinata ammonite has been carefully selected for its geological interest, named identification, and classic Dorset provenance. The photograph shows the actual specimen you will receive, so buyers can purchase with confidence knowing the fossil pictured is the fossil supplied. This genuine Middle Jurassic ammonite fossil from the Inferior Oolite Group at Milborne Wick, Dorset, is a desirable specimen for collectors of Jurassic fossils, British ammonites, Dorset geology, Bajocian marine fossils, and authentic natural history display pieces.
