Phacopida Family Calmoniidae indet
Trilobites Order Phacopida, Suborder Phacopina, Superfamily Acastoidea, Family Calmoniidae
Geological Time: Lower Devonian, Pragian Stage
Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Trilobite is 30 mm long (curve measure) of which 10 mm is rostrum by 10 mm wide on a 60 by 65 mm matrix.
Fossil Site: Jebel Issoumour, Morocco
Code: 14092
Price: Sold
 Description:
Unusual example of a member of the Order Phacopida, with many
fine details present. It looks for all the world to be related
to that famous prevaricating puppet Pinocchio after telling a
spate of whoppers. Just discovered within the past year, it is
yet to be described, although a researcher in Spain is studying
a similar taxon. It looks to have affinities with Morocconites,
but the rostrum here is far, far more elongated. The first example
I was aware of consisted solely of the cephalon with an attached
rostrum, indicating it was not some fanciful composite specimen.
Subsequently a few came to light as a mad dash by diggers to
the site ensued. Most of the literal handful come from Jebel
Iazzi or Jebel Issoumour. In this example here the rostrum is
one third of the overall length of the specimen. There seems
to be some variability in the base width of the rostrum, but
the sample size as yet seems to be too small to determine whether
that is intraspecific variability or indicative of separate species.
I have seen a photo of another example similar to this with the
narrow rostrum but with no side view shots available I cannot
tell if they are the same as this one has FOUR rows of eyes vs
SIX for the type with a broader rostrum. I wonder how the battle
between taxonomic lumps vs splitter will shake out for this one.
See my other listings for the another Calmoniid with
a broader rostrum type. |
