Eccoptochile mariana
Trilobites Order Phacopida, Family Cheiruridae
Geological Time: Lower Ordovician
Size: Trilobites are 50 mm long by 25 mm wide to 60 mm long by 30 mm wide
Fossil Site: Taychoute , Morocco
 Description:
Here is one of the more uncommon trilobites of Morocco: Eccoptochile,
a cheirurid of the family Phacopida. While some sources claim only
the species clavigera as valid, others contest that premise, with
the name
Eccoptochile mariana for this Moroccan taxon to be favored. This
is a natural association of a DOZEN examples, preserved in dorsal,
ventral, and enrolled aspect. The reason for such an assemblage
is not clear — perhaps they had gathered together for a mass
spawning as do the modern horseshoe crabs, only to have been buried
during some catastrophic slumping of the seafloor. It has been
reinforced with central rod which allows it to be placed in its
matrix stand so it can be rotated for viewing from any aspect.
I have included several in preparation process
photos to show it
is NOT a composite. |
