Kayserops megaspina and Kayserops moroccanensis
Trilobites Order Phacopida, Subfamily Asteropyginae
Geological Time: Devonian
Size: Kayserops megaspina: 85 mm long by 77 mm wide, Kayserops moroccanensis: 54 mm long by 27 mm wide on a 75 by 68 mm matrix
Fossil Site: Mount Issimour Alnif , Morocco
 Description:
An elegant example of a pair of members of the Order Phacopida, Subfamily
Asteropyginae with many fine details present. Notice the fine eye
facets present on this specimen, and the pustules present on the larger
specimen. This one has been incorrectly called “Comura cometa”
in the fossil trade, but is in fact Kayserops megaspina (for “big-spined”).
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.
The smaller one is the true Kayserops, distinguished as such by the
elongated pygidial spines, which resembles Metacanthina. This is a
natural double, affording you an opportunity to have both examples
of the genus in one plaque. |
