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CAMBROPALLAS TRILOBITE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE Anti-Atlas Region, Northern Sahara Desert, Morocco CAMBRIAN PERIOD: 543 - 510 million years ago From the Cambrian beds of the Anti-Atlas Region of Southern Morocco, this positive and negative Cambropallas telesto (formerly "Andalusiana") trilobite is a superb specimen for natural display. The trilobite is embedded in its original limestone host rock with both halves of the rock included as found when split open. Supreme fossilization of the carapace with exquisite detail as seen in the last image! Both positive and negative host rock are solid and natural. Small portion of the pygidium restored from damage when split but otherswise superb preservation and a fantastic example offering educational display of how the Cambrian layers are split to reveal these magnificent sea creatures of long ago. It is common in the market now to offer Cambropallas positive and negative fakes. Most are manufactured with a cheap, mostly faked trilobite specimen on the bottom and a top half completely fabricated out of Bondo (automotive car body filler) pressed over the animal and then shaped to look like a negative geode half. This example has BOTH 100% genuine and authentic limestone slabs included in the price below.
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'. WONDERFUL AND EDUCATIONAL DISPLAY WITH BOTH HALVES INCLUDED! 7.5" in length x 5.5" in width with matrix, trilobite is approximately 5.5" in length $285 TR21 INCLUDES STAND Actual Item - One Only |
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