Dramatic Paraceraurus (Cheirurus) exsull Russian Trilobite

Description: Coming from the nearly half billion year old Middle Ordovician Asery Level deposits of the Wolchow River region near Saint Petersburg, Russia, this is an example of a member of the Order Phacopida, Family Cheiruridae called Paraceraurus (formerly Cheirurus) exsull. These are very dramatic trilobites, with expansive genal and pygidial spines. This one is in a prone position, crawling over its matrix, with the dramatic genal spines spread for all to see. Its caramel-colored Calcite shell is well set off by the white limestone matrix. Due to the fragility of the spines, this specimen was prepared with them still in the matrix. Nevertheless, the spectacular spines are easily seen in this “Emperor of the Phacopids”.

Also see: Russian trilobites