Spectacular Crotalocephalus (Cyrtometopus) Trilobite From Morocco

Description: Elegant example of a member of the Order Phacopida, Family Cheiruridae with many fine details present. The most diagnostic features of this taxon are the sharp pleural and pygidial spines and the distinctive cephalic projections. Until recently, this one has been called Cyrtometopus. This year at the Tucson show I was told by one of the foremost collectors of trilobites that he had been told by Richard Fortey that it was actually a type of Crtotalocephalus. I will also leave the name Cyrtometopus here for those confused by the name which is often associated with an altogether different trilobite. The spines may have aided it in staying at the surface of the soft seafloor.