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PHOTO ABOVE SHOWS EXTREMELY RARE DIMPLED SURFACE OF THE ORIGINAL PRESERVED SHELL OF THIS TRILOBITE
THE MAJORITY OF THESE TRILOBITES HAVE FABRICATED "MOUSTACHE-LOOKING" GENAL SPINES. SOME ARE SO WIDE AND EXAGGERATED IT IS OBVIOUS BUT OTHER ARE MADE CONVINCINGLY WELL OUT OF A STONE AND EPOXY MIXTURE. EVIDENCE IN THE PHOTOS ABOVE AND BELOW SHOW THE AUTHENTICITY OF BOTH OF THE SPINES ON THIS SPECIMEN WHICH IS A VERY RARE FEATURE. THE SPINE ABOVE SHOWS AN EXFOLIATING CARAPACE AND THE SPINE BELOW HAS A CRACK RUNNING THROUGH THE MATRIX AND SPINE WHICH IS BARELY NOTICEABLE DUE TO THE MATRIX PREPARATION BUT STILL VISIBLE.
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ULTRA RARE GIANT MOUSTACHE ASAPHID TRILOBITE WITH AUTHENTIC GENAL SPINES AND ORIGINAL PRESERVED CARAPACE Anti-Atlas Mountain Range, South Morocco ORDOVICIAN PERIOD: 510 million years ago This is one of the rarest, largest and most magnificent variant of Ordovician trilobites from the Anti-Atlas Mountain Range at the northern edge of the Sahara Desert in Morocco. It remains undescribed scientifically but its common name is 'Moustache' asaphid named for its broad sweeping genal spines that resemble a large handlebar moustache. The large majority of these are fabricated in workshops in Morocco with artificially restored genal spines. Finding an authentic specimen without extensive restoration AND GENUINE GENAL SPINES is extremely rare! Forgoing the fakes, it has been extremely difficult to find a fine grade authentic specimen to offer with real genal spines. To emphasize just how rare, this is only our second one we have offered in the last 8 years! For advanced collections and especially for one of the most impressive trilobites of ANY TIME PERIOD AND TYPE, this is A MUST!!! Visually, it is one of the most intriguing types known. Not only does this extraordinary example have BOTH authentic genal spines, the overall preservation of the entire creature is spectacular - very rare in any large Ordovician asaphid trilobites from this region! You can actually still see the original carapace preserved and intact with RARE dimpled surface anatomy still present on the cephalon as seen above in the photos. Because of the rarity of this fossil, it was meticulously lab-prepped to ensure the best possible presentation. This exquisite Asaphid trilobite exhibits the fullest inflation and relief possible. One cannot help but to think it is still alive as it protrudes dramatically up off the rock with no distortion. The original carapace is still mostly present. The bulbous snout is as full as it was when it was alive and not crushed or distorted. BOTH eyes are very full and genuine. The original limestone host rock is NATURAL in color and is quite thick with only very minor repair from extraction damage. There are a few very small areas that were repaired on the trilobite with a couple of very small regions that were destroyed when the specimen was initially extracted. This amounts to FAR LESS THAN 1% but we mention it here to be as accurate as possible in the condition. The overall quality and execution of preparation on this investment-grade specimen is unmatched! If you could exhibit just ONE trilobite to capture the attention of the masses and demonstrate the splendor of trilobites to the worl, this would be it! Because of its bizarre nature and anatomy, this massive 510 million year old trilobite most certainly would be of interest to even those who have little care for prehistoric sea life - it truly is an oddity and masterpiece of natural history. To see just how surreal some prehistoric ocean life looked nearly a half a billion years ago, one needs to look no further than in the evidence of authentic fossil specimens like this. Their presence amongst us begs us to imagine just how incredible the prehistoric oceans must have been with creatures like these! This amazing specimen underscores its value as a promising investment. Examples like this with this kind of completeness and preservation are SUPER SCARCE. Current laws in Morocco forbid the export of specimens like this now so their rarity is sure to increase but prior to the ban, specimens of this quality have ALWAYS been ultra rare to locate. If you have always wanted this species, now is the time to act. A recent natural history auction in the United States had one of these of much lesser quality sell for $6000 plus a 15% buyers premium. It is unsure if the genal spines were authentic. As in all auctions' fine print and bidders agreements, there are no guarantees whatsoever. We guarantee this specimen's authenticity forever in writing and can guarantee whoever is fortunate enough to purchase it will never cease to be impressed by its beauty!
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'. SECOND TOP-GRADE SPECIMEN WITH TWO AUTHENTIC GENAL SPINES WE HAVE HAD TO OFFER IN THE LAST 8 YEARS - RARE!!!!!!!!! 18.5" x 15" overall with matrix, trilobite 13.65" in length by 12.25" across SOLD TRX-016 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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