Spiny Dicranurus monstrosus Moroccan Museum Trilobite

Prepared Freestanding

Dicranurus monstrosus

Trilobites Order Odontopleurida (or Lichida), Family Odontopleuridae

Geological Time: Middle Devonian

Size: Trilobite is 80 mm long by 75 mm wide (with spines) on a 95 mm by
55 mm matrix

Fossil Site: : Aatchana, Alnif, Morocco

Fossil Code: 18206

Price: Sold


Dicranurus monstrosus Moroccan Museum Trilobite Description: Here is one of the more sought-after trilobites of the Order Lichida, Family Odontopleuridae known as Dicranurus monstrosus. Notice that the librigenae are tightly attached, a sign of a well-articulated specimen. It is found in the Devonian Aatchana deposits near Alnif, Morocco. It is quite prone, and dominates its bed of matrix. To me, the most impressive features are the dramatically retorted occipital spines, looking like ram's horns. The major spines have been prepared freestanding on the cephalon as well as those on pleural lobes, and also the pygidial spines making for a dramatic Dicranurus monstrosus Moroccan Museum Trilobite display. Something not typically seen are the pleural secondary spines (see closeup in lateral view), as well as the hypostome which served as an anchor for the mouthparts. This one took a great deal of effort to prepare all the pleural spines free of matrix. This specimen is truly stunning when viewed from any aspect, and is destined to become the cornerstone of any collection, public or private. (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).

To what purpose could this spiny exoskeleton have been evolved? The answer is simple -- DEFENSE!! Fish had recently evolved jaws, and in the never-ending arms race between predator and prey, Dicranurus' answer was a spectacular defensive array of spines. A substantial amount of prep time goes into a dramatic specimen such as this, with a concomitant high-end price. Nevertheless, it is still $100s less than some I have seen for sale for a truly world-class fossil. This is a fine example sure to become a prized member of any collection. See my other listing for a roughly contemporary species prepared by Bob Carroll, Oklahoma trilobite preparator nonpareil.

Fossils Purchase

click to enlarge

Dicranurus monstrosus Moroccan Museum Trilobite

Dicranurus monstrosus

Dicranurus monstrosus


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