Ancient Seas, Morocco, Devonian Period, ca. 416 to 359.2 million years ago. A large, fossilized trilobite of the Paralajurus species, with excellent remaining details, displayed by carving around the rock matrix in which it was encased for millions of years! The trilobite (meaning three-lobes) was a marine arachnomorph arthropod that seems to have been one of the most ubiquitous animals from the Early Cambrian to the Late Permian, when they were killed during the mass extinction at the end of the Permian period. They had an easily fossilized exoskeleton, which is clearly visible on this specimen, and the black contrasts nicely with the lighter surrounding stone. This trilobite has been preserved in a slightly curved profile, showing off the flexibility of their segmented bodies. When in danger these "sea bugs" rolled into balls to protect their soft underbellies - much like modern day roly-polies (pill bugs). Size (trilobite): 2.5" L x 1" W (6.4 cm x 2.5 cm); (matrix): 4" L x 3.25" W x 1.5" H (10.2 cm x 8.3 cm x 3.8 cm)

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

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#164118

Matrix is repaired from 2 large pieces, with break line is visible across the back and underside of the fossil and matrix. Infill to trilobite and small pieces reattached behind the left eye, and right eye lobe. Missing segments in thorax. Chipping to surface layers on thorax. Nice coloration.