Description
Size: 45-55mm
Specimen: Gryphaea bivalve
Age: Jurassic
Location: Gloucestershire, UK
Belonging to the family Gryphaeidae, Gryphaea is an extinct genus of bivalve mollusks that existed from the Jurassic to the Cretaceous periods. The species found in Gloucestershire is often referred to as the “Devil’s toenail” due to its curved, nail-like shape and the folklore that associated such fossils with the devil. The Gryphaea bivalve had a distinctive shell characterized by a coiled, or sometimes uncoiled, shape resembling a curved toenail or horn. The shell’s exterior displayed a series of ridges or concentric growth lines, providing clues about the growth history of the mollusk. The interior of the shell housed the animal, and the fossilised remains often preserve details such as the hinge and ligament, which are important features for the identification of the species.
These fossils are typically found in the rocks of the Inferior Oolite Formation in Gloucestershire, dating back to the Middle Jurassic period, approximately 174 to 163 million years ago. The Inferior Oolite Formation represents a marine environment where Gryphaea bivalves thrived in shallow, warm seas.
You may not receive the exact item pictured but each are as unusual and similar in size and condition as that pictured. An info sheet will also be included.
