 Description:
This trilobite is a member of the Order Phacopida, Family Acastidae
from the Devonian deposits of Jebel Issoumour, Morocco known
commercially as the Trident Comura. The trilobite was named Walliserops
trifurcatus
by Pierre Morzadec. Chatterton and Brett had erected the genus
Parabolops, with the long-forked trident being Parabolops neptunis
and the short-forked Parabolops hammi (see a specimen of Walliserops
hammi here). Some think the differences may be
the result of sexual dimorphism. Radical differences between
the sexes are common in  Arthropods
(see some of the scarab beetles, for example).
Whatever you call it, this is a spectacular
example.
All spines have been prepared freestanding on the cephalon as
well as those on the axial, and pleural lobes,
as well as the pygidial
spines making for a dramatic display with more than eighty freestanding
spines. The diagnostic trident appendage has been prepared
freestanding as
well.
All totally, more than 200 hours of preparation was required
under a microscope. With the advent of a reliable source of electricity
in Morocco, the
quality
of
preparation
has improved
dramatically
over the
past few years. Here is another Walliserops trifurcatus
prepared with the pleural and pygidial spines still protected
by matrix. With
its schizochroal crystal eyes, array of spines, and enigmatic trident,
this Walliserops trilobites exemplifies the power
of evolutionary adaptation.
Also see: Walliserops hammi,
short fork trident trilobite Moroccan Trilobites |
