Crotalocephalina (Crotalocephalus) gibbus
Trilobites Order Phacopida, Family Cheiruridae
Geological Time: Middle Devonian
Size: Trilobite
is 93 mm long (curve measure) by 39 mm wide on a 45 by 65
mm matrix
Fossil Site: Aatchana, Morocco
Fossil Code: 19092
Price: Sold
 Description:
Elegant fossil of a member of the Order Phacopida, Family Cheiruridaewith
many fine details present. The most diagnostic features of thistaxon
are the sharp pleural and pygidial spines and the distinctivecephalon.
The describer of this one thought it bore a resemblanceto the head
of a rattlesnake (Crotalus), hence the genus name. Thespines may have
aided it in staying at the surface of the soft seafloor.With the advent
of a reliable source of electricity in Morocco, thequality of preparation
has improved dramatically over the past fewyears. This one took a
great deal of effort to prepare all spinesfree of matrix. Notice as
well that additional time was devoted toremoval of the matrix from
the ventral side to expose the attachmentpoints for musculature, making
for a most interesting display specimen..While I used to refer to
trilobites prepared in a mode similar tothis as flying, I feel a new
term is warranted by the preparationnow coming into vogue. The name
has changed several times, from Crotalocephalusto Crotalocephalina,
and recently to Cheirurus, making it hard forthe layman to keep up.
Whatever you care to call it, this one willmake a fine addition to
any collection. |
