Exquisite Kettneraspis Oklahoma Trilobite with Nodular Thorax

Description: Well-preserved example of a member of the Order Lichida, Family Odontopleuridae, with dramatically-displayed genal spines with minute subspines, a feature not often preserved intact. One of the reasons for the fine preservation is the fact that this trilobite was prepared by Bob Carroll, a world-renowned preparator of Oklahoma Devonian trilobites. Others may use less care, resulting in a less desirable specimen. Even the tiny nodes of spines on the pleural lobes can be seen. What makes this one most striking are the nodes to be seen decorating the axial lobe of this specimen. They are not the consequence of differential preservation, but rather an apparent additional phenotype. They are found in the same layer as other Kettneraspis, so it is not a different time horizon or quarry location. I do not know if the differences merit species or subspecies status, but I am sure you would agree that the difference is striking. Of more than a dozen examples of Kettneraspis Bob brought to the show, only three displayed this axial node characteristic. I acquired two of them.