Rare and Dramatic Phaetonellus Moroccan Trilobite

Description: Fine example of a member of the Order Proetida with many fine details present. At first glance, it looks much like Cornuproetus, a relatively common trilobite. The most diagnostic features of that taxon are a granulose cephalon and thorax and the swept-back genal spines. Look more closely, however, and you will notice the spines emanating from the pygidium. Once termed Decoroproetus in the trade, it is actually Phaetonellus, and is rarely offered for sale (This is my FIRST in FIVE YEARS). The Proetidae were among the last of the trilobites to go extinct in the Permian over 100 million years later. This is a fine example of the type, offered here at an eminently affordable price for such a rare specimen.