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FLYING UNCOMMON PUSTULOSE ZILCHOVASPIS (ODONTOCHILE) TRILOBITE WITH FREE-STANDING SPINES AND NOSE Hamar Laghdad Formation - Erfoud, Morocco DEVONIAN PERIOD: 395 - 345 million years ago The Zilchovaspis (Odontochile) trilobites are of a graceful and beautiful design. With their long genal spines and streamlined pygidium terminating in a fine point, it can easily be seen why trilobites have been called "the butterflies of the ancient seas". This example is in a rare pustolose variety once labeled Odontochile spinfera but possibly belongs in another claww with its unusually long snout process. The overall details of the carapace with its dramatic pustules along with the fine eye lens detail has been superbly preserved and cleaned under a microscope. The genal spines, the tail and nose process as well as the entire perimeter of the body has been freed of matrix and made to appear as if the animal is alive and crawling. Considerable time and skill went into such preparation - far more than typically prepared examples! Small nick to the pygidium spine but not a material detraction considering the highly uncommon and unusual anatomy of this specimen. Stunning olive color to the carapace is the icing to the cake on this one! Truly a top-notch display piece with immense visual appeal. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
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 VERY RARE VARIETY AND PREPARED IN A STUNNING FREE-STANDING POSE - UNUSUALLY LONG SNOUT PROCESS 3.25" x 2.25" with original matrix, trilobite is 3" in length $695 TR28-006 Actual Item - One Only |
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