Kayserops sp

Trilobites Order Phacopida, Suborder Phacopina, Family Acastidae, Subfamily Asteropyginae

Geological Time: Middle Devonian

Size: (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Trilobite is 45 mm long by 26 mm wide at spine tips on a 50 mm by 60 mm matrix

Fossil Site: Ouzina , Morocco

Code: 12149

Price: $525.00

Description: An elegant example of a member of the Order Phacopida, Subfamily Asteropyginae with many fine details present. Notice the fine eye facets present on this specimen. The Asteropyginae recently have undergone revision. The trilobite called “Kayserops’ in the fossil trade is actually Metacanthina issoumourensis, a far more commonly-available member of the Asteropyginae. This specimen is similar to one named Kayserops tamnrherta by Chatterton et al, with the species name derived for that one from the Berber name for a small black and white desert bird (see my other listings). This one comes from an entirely different location: Ouzina some 100 km east of Erfoud near the border with Algeria, and is most different from that taxon in the pygidial spines. It is common for new species to be seen as one travels east in Morocco, with this one sufficiently different to be considered an as yet undescribed species of Kayserops. Reference: Paleontographica Canadiana, No 25, 2006 pp 28-30.