Nevada Redlichiid Trilobite Olenellus fowleri

Description: This is a large and well-preserved specimen of this species. It has good color and presence. It is complete except for the short genal spines. Note the opistothorax and axial spine in the close-up photo. The right side of the matrix was cracked and repaired. O. fowleri are quite beautiful and are known for their delicate long thoracic spines and aesthetic qualities. This species has been recently described in 1998. It is one of the rarer species found at this location. The right side of the specimen is overlying a large cephalon. It is one of the rarer species found at this location. The genus is restricted to the early Cambrian (540-520 million years ago), making them good index fossils. They have a most distinctive large cephalon containing crescentic eyes, making them quite attractive to collectors. Most are only found as a preserved cephalon, making those from the famous Pioche Shale highly desirable.