Middle Devonian Period- C. 380 Million Years Ago

Order to which the fossil belongs: Proetida
Name of which the family belongs: Otarionidae
Informal name of the fossil: Trilobite

Nice example of an “Otarion” trilobite, a member of the genus Cyphaspis. One of the most diagnostic features of this species are the high stalked eyes, elongated spines, and granulose bulbous cephalon. An eye-catching specimen with both the genals and the thoracic spine intact.

Trilobites are a fossil group of extinct marine arachnomorph arthropods that form the class Trilobite, one of the earliest known groups of arthropods. The name originates from their division into three longitudinal lobes, consisting of a raised central lobe also known as the axis, with two slightly flatter pleural lobes either side. Trilobites also have a head shield known as the cephalon, and on the axial region of the head shield (glabella) they were cheeks either side and well-developed eyes. The thorax consists of up to thirty segments, each would have had a limb but these are rarely preserved. A trilobite would have probably roll up their external skeletons to protect themselves in defence.

An eye-catching specimen on a stone matrix with good definition. Stand included.

Matrix: 61mm x 78mm approx
Selenopeltis: 20mm x 28mm approx