Walliserops
trifurcatus
also called
Trident comura - long forked
Trilobite
Order Phacopida, Family Acastidae
Geological
Time: Devonian
Size: 37
mm
Fossil Site:
Foum Ziguid, Morocco
Description:
This trilobite is a member of the Order Phacopida, Family Acastidae
from the Devonian deposits of Foum Ziguid, Morocco known commercially
as the Trident Comura. The trilobite was named Walliserops trifurcatus
by Pierre Morzadec. Chatterton and Brett had erected the genus Parabolops,
with the long-forked trident being Parabolops neptunis and the short-forked
Parabolops hammi. Some think the differences may be the result of
sexual dimorphism. Radical differences between the sexes are common
in Arthropods (see some of the scarab beetles, for example). Whatever
you call it, this is a spectacular example. There are fully FIFTY
spines prepared freestanding on the cephalon as well as those on
the axial and pleural lobes, making for a dramatic display. The
diagnostic trident has been prepared freestanding as well. Unlike
many trilobites prepared in Morocco, this one was done using the
same painstaking microabrasive techniques as here in the US.
Also see: Moroccan
Trilobites
| |