Basseiarges mellishae Lichida Trilobite

Description: This unusual trilobite comes from a recently discovered location known as Jorf in Morocco, close to the site from which the polished goniatie ammonites originate. The preservation of the exoskeleton is reminiscent of them in terms of texture, unlike many trilobites from Morocco. The first examples I have come across were at the 2012 Tucson show, and were exhibited by the premier US importer of Moroccan specimens. The price was somewhat stratospheric. With the passage of time more material came to light. Here is a fine example of the taxon which has been assigned a new genus and species Basseiarges mellishae. The flattened round shape and spines along the edge of the pleural and pygidiial lobes indicate to me a dweller of the seafloor. The body configuration would have served the same function as snowshoes. See my other offerings for multiple examples here and here.

Reference: Batalleria, 18, March 2013, pp 15-24