This ULTRA-RARE spiny-tailed Asaphus trilobite with an AUTHENTIC tail spine is truly an extraordinary find.  It is the second largest overall specimen we have ever offered and THE LARGEST with respect to the body, that we have ever offered of this variety.  This is only the THIRD specimen of this rare unnamed species we have ever offered.  The color is a beautiful natural light, warm orange with hints of red and brown.  As is typical with all these kinds of fossils, the rock was split and broken during the extraction process but there is NO FABRICATION of the trilobite with only repair cracks filled.  Some of the cracks transcended the RARE spiny tail but the tail is all original and indication of this rare type of trilobite.  Caution should be exercised if you ever see this type available for sale as it is popular for the Moroccan fakers to make these with a genuine ordinary Asaphus trilobite of the tail-less variety with an artificially attached tail spine on its end.  There are features shown above that provide definitive proof of the authenticity of this trilobite and the originality and authenticity of its graceful tail spine.  Cracks in the matrix can be seen running through the tail spine.  The left side of the head was crushed but this is not as much of a detraction considering this is such a MONSTER-SIZED example of these very rare trilobites.  Most of these are about 1/3 less in size.  Compare this to a couple of the other ones we have for sale to see just how much larger this extraordinary specimen is.

This trilobite is a scientifically undescribed species belonging to the Asaphidae family.  The presence of the tail spine is what makes this trilobite so rare.  Asaphid trilobites do not normally possess such anatomy.  This specimen was found in Ordovician rock from the Anti-Atlas mountains in southern Morocco along the Northern Sahara.  As stated, this is the THIRD ever specimen of this specific kind we have ever been able to offer and the largest in body size, we have ever seen.  Years ago a small pocket of these highly unusual trilobites were uncovered and we were fortunate to acquire THE ENTIRE small find.  This specimen is THE LARGEST of that rare discovery. 

The overall preservation of the body is fully mineralized with excellent anatomy.  Both genal spines are authentic and original.  Both eyes are visible but one has extensive repair due to crushing on the left side.  The individual body segments are superbly preserved and the matrix around the perimeter has been well cleaned with cracks disguised to offer better contrast.  All work was performed in our on-site lab.  This piece looks much better in person than the photos convey and oddly, is even larger in appearance than seems in the photos.  A few fractures in the end running through the tail actually HELP to positively demonstrate the tail spine's authenticity because hey can be seen running through the spine and also where the tail meets the body.  The entire trilobite including the tail spine, protrudes dramatically off the rock offering a fantastic display fossil with aesthetics that will definitely impress as much as this piece is rare. 

The entire host rock is 100% original with no additional parts added and only cracks repaired.  The trilobite has NO FABRICATION and only cracks were filled and repaired.  For the most demanding collector of RARE FOSSILS, and a prized addition to the most impressive fossil trilobite collections.  This specimen presents itself with a very rare opportunity to acquire an example of a SCARCE trilobite that is rare in not only its type but of those known, THIS SPECIMEN IS AN UNUSUALLY LARGE SIZE - AT THE ABSOLUTE LARGEST END OF THE SPECTRUM OF THOSE EVER FOUND.
 

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Trilobites are hard-shelled, segmented creatures that lived hundreds of millions of years ago in the Earth's ancient seas.  They are considered to be one of our planet's earliest complex life-forms and are one of the key signature creatures of the Paleozoic Era.  Trilobites went extinct before dinosaurs even existed. 

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'.