Sculpted Stone

This is one of the most unusual species of trilobites we have ever seen. It is a distinct Walliserops trifurcatus (Trident) trilobite from Morocco. This specimen was acquired from the Richard Busch Collection, who originally acquired it from the Chance Collection. Busch was the Preparator/Asst. Curator at the North Museum in Lancaster, PA from 1965-1992. This trilobite is sort of a cross between a Comura (for the overall shape), Quadrops (for the prongs off the head), and Psychopyge (for the long snout). It has three rows of free-standing spines like these trilobites, but it has something special these bugs don't have - a HUGE Trident-like projection off the front of the head! This specimen was prepared from a cross section under a microscope in the US at the EXTINCTIONS Preparation Lab, not in Morocco! It represents the best features that trilobites have to offer. It has faceted compound eyes and a beautifully articulated Trident snout. And it even has MANY free-standing vertical spines, unlike many of the Moroccan-prepared examples you may have seen floating around. The trilobite is also nicely showcased on the sculpted block of matrix - what more could you ask for in a trilobite? We are proud to showcase this excellent specimen as a keystone example of bizarre trilobite morphology.

A Certificate of Authenticity from EXTINCTIONS is included with this specimen.