Anacheirurs
(Lehua sp.)
(Trilobites) Order
Phacopida, Family Cheiruridae
Geological
Time: Ordovician
Size: Trilobite
is 31 mm long
Fossil Site:
Tanssikhte, Zagora, Morocco
Description:
This plate displays a rarely seen example of a trilobite found in
the Ordovician deposits of Tanssikhte near Zagora, Morocco. This
taxon has dramatically sweeping genal, pleural, and paired 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,
unusual for Ordovician trilobites, and is rarely offered for sale.
While usually termed Lehua in the fossil trade, I learned in Tucson
this year that it is more correctly referred to as Anacheirurus.
Also
see: Moroccan Trilobites |
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