BIZARRE Long-Spined Xiphogonium Moroccan Trilobite

Description: Unusual example of a member of the Order Proetida, Family Tropidocoryphidae known as Xiphogonium, a rarely seen taxon. This one looks to be different from Xiphogonium trautensteinensis which is known from Morocco, the Czech Republic, and Germany where it is sometimes referred to as “Trautensteinproeus”. Unlike the better known taxon, this one has much longer genals. While those of Xiphogonium trautensteinensis extend to about the sixth pleural segment, the genals here extend all the way to the end of the pygidium. It is a rare taxon, with this being the only one I have ever been able to secure. Since I do not think they are the same species, I will just refer to this one as Xiphogonium sp. See my other offerings for another with shorter genals which appears to be Xiphogonium trautensteinensis. Both come from the location on Jebel Issoumour from which the new long-nosed Calmoniid is found.