SPECTACULAR Bizarre Quadrops-Like Moroccan Trilobite

A new taxon

Aff Quadrops flexuosa

Trilobites Order Phacopida, Family Acastidae

Geological Time : Early ro Middle Devonian

Size: Trilobite is 100 mm long (curve measure) by 57 mm wide (with spines) on a 125 mm by 90 mm matrix

Fossil Site: Jebel Issoumour, Morocco

Code: 16201

Price: Sold


QuadropsDescription: Elegant example of a bizarrely-spined member of the Acastidae. This one is a new taxon clearly closely allied with Quadrops flexuosa. Once called Philonyx, the Quadrops Museum Trilobitegenus derives its name from the unusual quadripartite rostrum unique to this taxon. Given the distinct “shovel-nosed” aspect of this type, it may be an entirely new genus. While most Quadrops are known from Ofaten, this type to date has only been found in Issoumour. Note the incredible profusion of spines displayed here. These spines were a good defense against the fish of their day, affording quite a mouthful for any predator with the temerity to attack. This specimen took an INCREDIBLY LONG amount of time to prepare. I have included some in-preparation photos which clearly show the genuine rostrum. As is typical, spines are removed during preparation, and subsequently reattached once the matrix removal is complete. The stubs of removed spines and several of the axial spines are still in place. This is only the second specimen I have seen. The other was only 2/3 this size (more like a typical Quadrops) and did not have an indentaion of the rostrum. Too few examples are known to tell which characteristic is typical, but I suspect they are both the same species, regardless of the genus to which this bizarre trilobite belongs.

Trilobites for Sale

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  Images blow of Trilobite in Preparation  
 

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