Ceratarges
aff aries
Trilobites
Order Lichida, Family Lichidae
Geological
Time: Middle Devonian, Eifellian Stage
Size: Ceratarges
trilobite is 65 mm long by 43 mm wide (including spines) on a 70 mm by
85 mm matrix
Fossil Site:
Cyphaspis eximia Layer, El Otfal Formation, Mrakib, Morocco
Fossil Code:
19004
Price: Sold
 Description:
This trilobite is a member of the Order
Lichida, Family Lichidae from the Devonian deposits of Ofaten,
Morocco known as a member of the genus Ceratarges. This one much
like Ceratarges aries which was assigned a species name a few years
ago the source of which is derived from the fact that the spines
of the head are reminiscent of a ram. It is the rarest of the three
newly-described Ceratarges. Indeed, it only represented some 5 percent
of the specimens found at the type locality. The dramatic cephalic
spines have been prepared freestanding. What is most unusual about
this one is the deformed left occipital spine, the result of an
injury earlier in life. While the injury healed, this deformation
was the result. While I am used to seeing various Scutellids and
examples of Elrathia kingii with healed bite marks, this is the
first such pathology of this type. It is an excellent example of
the taxon with numerous bizarre features. Even the hypostome is
preserved.
See
my other offerings for yet other specimens of the genus, a Ceratarges
aff aries natural double and a Ceratrges
koumalii.
Reference:
Geologica Belgica (2011) 14, 3/4, pp 193-202.
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