Ancient Seas, Morocco, mid Devonian period, ca. 393.3 to 382.7 Million years ago. A fantastic fossilized trilobite encased within a stone matrix, with a slightly curled profile. The magnificent trident shaped "horns" on the front of the head identifies this as a Walliserops trifucatus. The rest of the body is spinose, with protrusions above the eye lobes and down the spine. Some paleontologists posit that that the trident functioned as a horn for fighting other males during mating or as a defense against predators. This "sea bug" is preserved in a dynamic curving profile, perhaps to roll into a protective ball and has developed a nice black hue from the fossilization process. Trilobites are a fossil group of extinct marine arthropods that are captivating reminders of the prehistoric animals that once scuttled across the ocean floor! Size of fossil: 2.5" L x 1" W (6.4 cm x 2.5 cm); matrix: 3.3" L x 2.75" W x 1" H (8.4 cm x 7 cm x 2.5 cm); case: 4.125" L x 4.125" W x 3.25" H (10.5 cm x 10.5 cm x 8.3 cm)

Trilobites are a fossil group of extinct marine arthropods that form one of the earliest known groups of arthropods. The first appearance of trilobites in the fossil record defines the base of the Atdabanian stage of the Early Cambrian period (521 million years ago), and they flourished throughout the lower Paleozoic era before beginning a drawn-out decline to extinction when, during the Devonian, all trilobite orders except the Proetids died out. Trilobites disappeared in the mass extinction at the end of the Permian about 252 million years ago. Trilobites were among the most successful of all early animals, roaming the oceans for over 270 million years.

Provenance: ex-Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010

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#164339

Matrix repaired with restoration to underside and visible break lines running across cephalon and trident spines. Spines along body are reattached and some areas of restoration along break lines. Displayed in acrylic case.