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PSYCHOPYGE ELEGANS TRILOBITE - Atlas Mountain Range, South Morocco DEVONIAN PERIOD: 395 - 345 million years ago Prepped here in our new facility in Orlando, Florida, this spectacular and very rare example of the Psychopyge elegans trilobite is a must have for any serious collector that demands the best. There is absolutely no restoration with the limited exception of the left genal spine. On a numeric scale relating percentage of restoration, this would amount to LESS than 1% !!! The rostral process is entirely natural as is all the pygidial and pleural spines!!! The occipital spine is genuine and has been fully exposed protruding up in the air but the matrix has been left beneath it for support. There is no filler on the body and the color is natural with only a very thin clear sealer to protect the detail. The original limestone matrix is completely present and has been shaped for aesthetics. The bottom of the rock matrix has been left natural (not shown). 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. Today, a genuine PSYCHOPYGE trilobite with a 100% natural and genuine rostrum and less than 1% restoration is a super rarity. This wonderful specimen is just that! Each year, less than a handful of this size and quality are discovered if that. Very few are prepared with all spines free-standing WHERE THE SPINES ARE GENUINE. In some cases, the spines are fabricated to save time and money. The PSYCHOPYGE trilobite, because of its high price tag and rarity, is one of most faked trilobites of the spiny varieties. We have lab-prepped this wonderful specimen ourselves and can attest to its superb condition as well as authenticity.
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'. A RARE AND METICULOUSLY LAB PREPPED GENUINE SPECIMEN OF THIS SPECIES 5.5" long and 3.75" wide with original matrix, animal approximately 4.1" long SOLD TR1102L INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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