Dramatically-Spined Ceraurus pleuraxanthemus Trilobite from Canada

Description: This plate displays a rarely seen example of a trilobite found in the Middle Ordovician Trenton Group deposits of Neuville, Ontario, Canada. This one is different from most trilobites of the region in large measure due to the sweeping genal, pleural, and pygidial spines. The spines presumably in addition to a deterrent to predators probably served to keep the trilobite near the surface of the substrate, much as snowshoes do. This is a very fine, 3-D example of the type, a trilobite sought after by many collectors. The region has been collected out; indeed, this fine example has been in a private collection for some 30 years, and has just recently become avilable.