Walliserops trifurcatus
Trilobites Order Phacopida, Family Acastidae
Hollardops mesocristata
Trilobites Order Phacopida, Subamily Asteropyginae
Geological Time: Devonian
Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Walliserops: 75mm long by 24 mm wide Hollardops: 39mm long by 25 mm wide on a 115 by 70 mm matrix
Fossil Site: Foum Ziguid, Zagora , Morocco
Code: MT300
Price: $1695.00
 Description:
This trilobite is a member of the Order Phacopida, Family Acastidae
from the Devonian deposits of Foum Ziguid, Morocco known commercially
as the Trident Comura. The trilobite was named Walliserops trifurcatus
by Pierre Morzadec. Chatterton and Brett had erected the genus Parabolops,
with the long-forked trident being Parabolops neptunis and the short-forked
Parabolops hammi (see MT168 for a fine short-forked example). Some
think the differences may be the result of sexual dimorphism. Radical
differences between the sexes are common in Arthropods (see some of
the scarab beetles, for example). Whatever you call it, this is a
spectacular example. This fine specimen is 75 mm in length (including
the fork), and 24 mm wide at the genal spines.. There are many spines
prepared freestanding on the cephalon as well as those on the axial
and pleural lobes, making for a dramatic display. The diagnostic trident
has been prepared freestanding as well, making for a dramatic piece
unlikely to ever need upgrading. Unlike many trilobites prepared in
Morocco, this one was done using the same painstaking microabrasive
techniques as here in the US, affording a wonderful piece at a fraction
of what a US-prepped example would cost of comparable quality. (I
apologize for the less-than-esthetic photography while still in the
shipping container, but discretion was the better part of valor with
all the spines). The smaller trilobite is an example of a member of
the Order Phacopida, Subfamily Asteropyginae with many fine details
present. The Asteropyginae recently have undergone revision. This
one has been known in the past as Metacanthina, an entirely different
trilobite. Unlike some from the region, this is a NATURAL double |
