Lonchodomas (Ampyx) Trilobites from Morocco

Description: These trilobites look more like an alien spacecraft than anything that once roamed the ancient seas. It is a Trinucleid (Order Asaphida) previously known as Ampyx (now called Lonchodomas). They come from the Ordovician deposits of Tanssikhte near Zagora, Morocco. This taxon has dramatically sweeping genal spines and an enolagated rostrum. The spines presumably in addition to a deterrent to predators probably served to keep the trilobite near the surface of the substrate, much as snowshoes do. This is a very fine, 3-D example of a pair caught “flying” in formation.

Also see: Moroccan Trilobites