Aff Quadrops flexuosa
Trilobites Order Phacopida, Family Acastidae
Geological Time : Early ro Middle Devonian
Size: Trilobite is 100 mm long (curve measure) by 57 mm wide (with spines) on a 125 mm by 90 mm matrix
Fossil Site: Jebel Issoumour, Morocco
Code: 16201
Price: Sold
 Description:
Elegant example of a bizarrely-spined member of the Acastidae.
This one is a new taxon clearly closely allied with Quadrops
flexuosa.
Once called Philonyx, the  genus derives its name from the unusual
quadripartite
rostrum unique to this taxon. Given the distinct “shovel-nosed” aspect
of this type, it may be an entirely new genus. While most Quadrops
are known from Ofaten, this type to date has only been found in
Issoumour. Note the incredible profusion of spines displayed here.
These spines were a good defense against the fish of their day,
affording quite a mouthful for any  predator with the temerity to
attack. This specimen took an INCREDIBLY LONG amount of time to
prepare. I have included some in-preparation photos which clearly
show the genuine rostrum. As is typical, spines are removed during
preparation, and subsequently reattached once the matrix removal
is complete. The stubs of removed spines and several of the axial
spines are still in place. This is only the second specimen I
have seen. The other was only 2/3 this size (more like a typical
Quadrops) and did not have an indentaion of the rostrum. Too few
examples are known to tell which characteristic is typical, but
I suspect they are both the same species, regardless of the genus
to which this bizarre trilobite belongs. |
