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PREMIUM GRADE PYSYCHOPYGE TRILOBITE WITH COMPLETE FREE-STANDING SPINES Atlas Mountain Range, South Morocco DEVONIAN PERIOD: 395 - 345 million years ago The PSYCHOPYGE trilobite is an awesome, bizarre and highly-prized trilobite species with its strange shovel-like protrusion off the anterior of the cephalon (head). It has been suggested that this appendage was used to root up food from the prehistoric ocean floor. Painstakingly prepared under a microscope to extract all tiny dorsal spines and expose them free from the matrix, this Psychopyge elegans trilobite is a MUST HAVE for any serious collector that demands the best. It is truly a breath-taking example and offers a rare opportunity to acquire not only a genuine Psychopyge, but one with a genuine rostral process and ALL spines free from the rock matrix and standing on their own! ALL spines running in three rows down the body are COMPLETELY FREE-STANDING. The head spine is also free and standing without any surrounding matrix. BOTH eyes are well preserved with excellent multi-lens detail. All body side spines are present and not deformed or sheared. Color is completely natural and is a dark olive black. The hallmark of the PSYCHOPYGE trilobite is its rostral process. In many cases, this is damaged or missing in preparation. This specimen features a 100% original spines and nose process. Very few Psychopyge trilobites are prepared with all spines free-standing. The Psychopyge trilobite, because of its high price tag and rarity, is one of most faked trilobites of the spiny varieties. We are proud to offer such a fine quality, genuine example with such time-intensive preparation work done in the lab. WARNING: There are several different grades of spiny trilobites on the market now with seemingly identical and very convincing appearances. Fakers have mastered producing 100% complete replicas of trilobites with free-standing spines. There are also classes of trilobites offered from the source that have varying degrees of fabrication such as a genuine trilobite but with all spines being fabricated. Prices generally will reflect the quality as the source preparators and sellers know the global prices and charge accordingly for the different degrees of authenticity of their specimens. Nevertheless, price should not be your only guide. Often, features such as thicker than normal spines and a dull, almost chalky appearance without any natural satin luster to the creature are some obvious signs of fakes. Know how to tell a genuine from a fake by reading this and rely ONLY on established professional sellers who have active experience in fossil preparation and will offer you an unconditional LIFETIME guarantee IN WRITING of the authenticity of the specimen.
Next to dinosaur fossils, trilobites command a dedicated and passionate following amongst both scientists and fossil collectors, alike. In a relatively short time-frame (scientifically speaking, of course), we have the emergence and subsequent extinction of these fascinating creatures. Still most baffling is the incredible diversity of sizes and features that made up the trilobite group. Many bizarre species co-existed with highly specialized body parts that defy the theories of evolution in their "sudden" emergence and diversity during the Early Cambrian Period in what is known as the 'Cambrian Explosion'. Trilobites were among the world's first arthropods, a phylum of hard-shelled creatures with multiple body segments and jointed legs (although the legs, antennae and other finer structures of trilobites only very rarely are preserved). They constitute an extinct class of arthropods, Trilobita, that is comprised of over 15,000 known species. It has been reported that every year, four to five new species are discovered in the Atlas and Anti-Atlas Mountain regions in Morocco, alone! This desolate northern fringe of the Sahara Desert was once covered by a prehistoric ocean and its fossil deposits can be considered the world's richest and most diverse source of these ancient sea creatures. Trilobites are the single most diverse group of extinct organisms that ever existed, period! The smallest known trilobite is just three millimeters long, while the largest type grew to a length of 70 centimeters (over two feet long!). The most common fossil of trilobites is the mineralized dorsal exoskeleton of the creature. This is found in partial form from molting (shedding the shell as it grows) or in complete form when the animal was buried and died intact. The soft parts of the underside are rarely preserved. The name 'TRILOBITE' means 'three lobed" and is derived from the fact these animals had bodies featuring three longitudinal lobes, not lateral (head, body, tail) as is often thought. The lateral division of three parts is shared by many arthropods, not just trilobites. Considerable study has been done on trilobites as a whole organism. Even more fascinating though, is the research done on a microscopic level with regards to trilobite morphology. Radiographs have captured incredible detail of complete and fully articulated antennae and underparts like legs and gills, preserved in the host rock of some fossilized specimens. Perhaps the most impressive and classic feature of trilobites that comes to mind is the eyes. Microscopic studies of trilobite eye structures have also revealed marvelous adaptation and very high degrees of specialization in vision. It seems that the more we learn about trilobites, the unfolding of their mystery is stranger than fiction. Certainly we gain a greater appreciation with each new discovery of these strange and highly advanced but now extinct 'butterflies of the ancient seas'. RARE QUALITY AND STATE OF PRESERVATION WITH ALL DORSAL SPINES EXPOSED OUT OF MATRIX 3.5" long and 3.5" wide with original matrix, animal approximately 3.3" long if straightened $1995 TR11-005 Actual Item - One Only |
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