Stunning Acanthopyge Museum Trilobite

Description: The location known as Jorf in Morocco has been a hotbed of new trilobite species for the past few years. A few years ago the first example of this unusual Lichid was shown to the collecting community. While more examples have come to light since then, few are of the quality of this fine example. This specimen displays the stunning genal, pleural, and pygidial spines nicely arrayed. While some have indicated it might be a relative of Belenopyge to my eyes it seems to have its closest affinities with the larger, more robust genus Acanthopyge. For the sake of expediency I will refer to it as Aff Acanthopyge. This one is the first I have seen fully prepared in freestanding mode on a pedestal of matrix, giving a sense that it is in flight. It took one of the premier Moroccan preparators known for such work a full TWO WEEKS to prepare the many delicate spines in this manner, and effort I am sure you will agree was well worth the time.

See additional specimens here and here.