RARE Akantharges mbareki Trilobite with Attached Hypostome

Description: This unusual trilobite comes from the Middle Devonian deposits of Tinejdad, Morocco. Specimens have only been available commercially for about 2 years. The ususual crenulations and tubercles present on the genal spines and pygidium are quite striking. The description of this species was just recently published in a paper that also erected the genus Besseiarges for the other type previously called Akantharges from Jorf (see my other listings). This species of Akantharges was named after the benefactor from the Palaeontological Museum of Erfoud who was of aid in the research that resulted in the paper referenced below. Note the sinuous nature of the specimen. This led the preparator to expose this one in pedestal fashion as if swimming through the water column. This decision was fortuitous in that the hypostome, or anchor for mouthparts, was exposed. The authors of the paper referred to the hypostome in their paper, calling it the first ever described. Here is an opportunity to add this most rare and unusual specimen to your collection, possibly only the second known to preserve the hypostome.

Reference: Batalleria, 18, March 2013, pp 15-24.