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ULTRA RARE LARGEST EVER PARAHOMALONOTUS TRILOBITE Hamar Laghdad Formation - Erfoud, Morocco DEVONIAN PERIOD: 395 - 345 million years ago The Parahomalonotus planus planus species trilobite was a beautifully simplistic and streamlined creature. Its segments are so delicate and fine, it is more akin to looking like a fat worm rather than a crustacean. Very few genuine specimens can be found on the market, even less than the rare spiny types of trilobites from the Devonian. Of the ones that are found, most are so poorly preserved that they are not worth showing. Every collection should include a fine example of these odd species when a genuine one can be located. Prepared
in our own lab facility here in Orlando, Florida, this giant Parahomalonotus
is THE largest of this species we have ever
offered! It
can easily be considered an
INVESTMENT GRADE specimen
for both its size and completeness. Usually, this species occurs
in lengths in the two inch range and here, this example MEASURES 3.5
INCHES IN LENGTH! When alive, it is likely this species had a
fragile, thin carapace as Parahomalonotus fossils are usually
found with the trilobite enrolled or disarticulated and in poor
preservation. This specimen displays a VERY RARE straight pose
with its pygidium slightly raised as if it has a chip on its shoulder...
and it should in this size!!! This specimen possesses an unusual
multi-colored preserved carapace in olive gray and tapioca tones proving
its authentic natural state. Cephalon is enormous and remarkably,
both eyes are present, very pronounced and with high relief. The entire trilobite has been meticulously lab
prepped with micro-abrasive equipment to best expose the delicate
detail and offer the finest presentation for display. Entire
trilobite is present with only a fingernail-size portion of the edge of
the pygidium restored amounting to maximum dimensions of 10mm across by
3 mm wide. The surface of the creature displays some roughness to
the forward tapioca portion but otherwise, this specimen is very well
preserved. In comparison to some of the other species from this
region and time, this has now become one of the most difficult to find
in ANY quality.
If you are fortunate enough
to own some extremely impressive trilobites, this one should not
be missed as it would be hard to believe you would ever see another like
it! Better than 'museum quality' as most museums do not have
trilobites of this caliber in their collection.
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'. ULTRA RARE IN THIS SIZE - INVESTMENT SPECIMEN - UNUSUAL MULTI-COLORED CARAPACE! 4.5" by 2.25" wide with original matrix, animal is huge at 3.5" in length! SOLD TR32-001 Actual Item - One Only |
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