Paralejurus spatuliformis
Trilobites Order Corynexochida, Family Styginidae
Geological Time: Middle Devonian
Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Trilobite is 51 mm long (curve measure), 26 mm across; Matrix: 90 mm by 65 mm
Fossil Site: Trafroute, Morocco
Code: 14031
Price: $235.00
 Description:
A member of the Order Corynexochida, Family Syginidae from the
Middle Devonian deposits of Tafroute, Morocco, this is an ENTIRELY
NEW Scutellid-like member of the genus Paralejurus. At first glance,
it looks like a Paralejurus when only the cephalon is viewed. When
the matrix is rotated to see the pygidium, it can be seen to be
that of the typical Scutellum, but has some terracing more like
a Paralejurus. When I first saw an example at the Tucson fossil
show two years ago I was unsure as to its taxonomy. A well-known
US collector of trilobites whose collection of specimens is only
surpassed by his collection of literature informed me recently
that this one is known as Paralejurus spatuliformis. The genus
derives its name from the spatulate pygidium which is far different
from the vaulted forms of P. dormitzieri for example. It is most
closely related to the contemporaneous P. richteri of the Czech
Repulic and younger P. galloisi from France. Since both Paralejurus
and Scutellum are members of the same family, it is not unreasonable
to expect that transitional species could occur.
Reference: Journal of Palaeontology, 78 (4) 2004, pp 709-722. |
