Erbenochile issoumourensis
Trilobites Order Phacopida, Suborder Phacopina, Superfamily Acastoidea, Family Acastidae
Geological Time: Early to Middle Devonian (Late Emsian to Early Eifelian Stage)
Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Trilobite is 32 mm long by 22 mm wide on a 95 by105 mm matrix
Fossil Site: Mount Issimour Alnif , Morocco
Code: MT307
Price: $995.00
 Description:
Elegant example of a member of the Order Phacopida, Superfamily
Acastoidea with many fine details present. While most frequently
known in the trade as “Big Eye”, this one is actually
Erbenochile, and has just become commercially available in limited
quantities. The most diagnostic features of this taxon are the
high “eye-towers”. Fortey and Chatterton described
the related Erbenochile erbeni in September 2003 from a single
commercially-prepared specimen, and it created a stampede among
collectors. The “wrap around” eyes gave a good panoramic
view of the trilobite’s environment, allowing it to keep
alert for predator and prey alike. Since fish had recently evolved
true jaws, any advantage a prey species could derive would place
it at an advantage. This species comes from Mount Issoumour and
was described by Chatterton and Gibb less than 5 years ago, with
the species name coming from the locality of discovery. Like E.
erbeni, it possesses the high “eye tower” but has fewer
lenses per vertical file and lacks the distinctive “sunshade” thought
to indicate the this one comes from a lower light environment.
This one has been prepared with the genal and axial spines all
freestanding, quite an achievement from such hard matrix. TThgis
species is still offered far less frequently than the more flambuoyant Erbenochile
erbeni. |
