Zilchovaspis rugosa
Trilobites Order Phacopida, Family Dalmanitidae
Geological Time: Lower Devonian, Pragian Stage
Size: Trilobite
is 93 mm long by 55 mm wide (with spines) on a 135 mm by
135 mm matrix.
Fossil Site: Aatchana, Morocco
Code: 19033
Price: Sold
 Description:
A unusual example of a member of the Order Phacopida, Family Dalmanitidae
with many fine details present. While most frequently known in the
trade as “Odontochile”, this one is actually Zilchovaspis.
The most diagnostic features of this taxon are the parabolic cephalon
and pygidial spine. Odontochile has a more circular cephalic outline,
and a shorter, broadly-based pygidial spine. Both genera bear a strong
resemblance to the contemporary genus Huntonia from the Devonian of
Oklahoma. This one has been prepared in the ventral mode, showing
the internal architecture of the exoskeleton and the large Hypostome.
Additionally, you can see the wonderfully-faceted eyes and how they
conveyed
images of the world to the trilobite. The photos of the eyes are something
of an optical illusion in that they seem to be projecting outward
towards the viewer, something that often happens with ventral specimens.. |
