Cyphaspides Moroccan Trilobite

Description: Unusual example of a member of the Order Proetida, Family Aulacopleuridae with many fine details present. It comes from a new deposit in a location known as Hmar Lakhdad in Morocco. Hmar lakhdad means “red cheeks” in Arabic, an allusion to the rich wine red color preserved in the specimens from this location, a consequence of high levels of iron in the silicified exoskeleton. It has similarities to Cyphaspis (see my other listings) with the same bulbous cranidium, stalked eyes, and granulose appearance. It is a rarely-seen taxon, and would make a welcome addition to any collection of Moroccan trilobites, one made all the more memorable due to its red coloration.