Geologic
Time: Middle Ordovician
Size: mm
(25.4mm=1 inch): 80 mm long (curve measure) by 58 mm wide on a 135 by
135 mm matrix
Location:
Wolchow River Region, Asery Horizon, St Petersburg, Russia
Code: RUT896
Price: $365.00
- sold
Description:
This is an example of the unusual trilobite Illaenus tauricornis.
This is one of the 50-odd members of the genus, and known for the
high profile of the cephalon which is thought to have aided the
trilobite in ploughing through the substrate in search of a meal.
It is also one of the more dramatic members of the genus, with recurved
genal spines. Indeed, the species epithet means “bull-horned”,
a quite appropriate term for this example, which is of the variety
thallosus by virtue of the shape of the genals and pygidium. Typically,
the large cephalon is pulled under, probably as a result of the
contraction of muscles as the trilobite died. This one, however,
is quite prone. Making for a dramatic and uncommon presentation
of this unusual taxon.
|
|