BIZARRE Walliserops Trident Trilobite

Description: This trilobite is a member of the Order Phacopida, Family Acastidae from the Devonian deposits of a location some 25 km from Foum Ziguid, Morocco. While similar to the better-known “Trident Comura” Walliserops trifurcatus, the major differences readily apparent are the elongated axial spines, a feature I have only seen in two other examples, both also from Lansar. Whatever you call it, this is a spectacular example. There are many spines prepared freestanding on the cephalon as well as the subspines on the axial and pleural lobes, making for a dramatic display.. Unlike many trilobites prepared in Morocco, this one was done using the same painstaking microabrasive techniques as here in the US, affording a wonderful piece at a fraction of what a US-prepped example would cost of comparable quality. (I apologize for the less-than-esthetic photography while still in the shipping container, but discretion was the better part of valor with all the spines).