Lot 1197
Grouping of Trilobites & A Rare Soft-Bodied Arthropod. This large 20x12" stone matrix contains a grouping of three rare spiny trilobites, Selenopeltis bucchi, 4-4½" long. nearly complete with their long spines facing backward. The spines were a defense mechanism to protect them from being swallowed by giant worms and other large predators. This plate also contains a 2½" Pracoparia trilobite plus a partial head shield and tail of two other trilobite, plus a new and poorly-known, soft bodied arthropod known as Duslia insignis. Unlike trilobites they did not have hard shells covering their body and, being soft bodied, are usually so poorly preserved that initially they were thought to be a jellyfish. It is very rare to have such detail as is found on this large 3½x2¾" museum quality specimen. Duslia has an ovoid body with symmetrical body segments and a center ridge running from its hidden head to the tail. Being soft bodied, it is flat on the matrix, unlike the three dimensional trilobites. Duslia is also somewhat similar to a strange pre-Cambrian animal called Dickinsonia from Australia which was thought to have become extinct over 540 million years ago. Duslia and these exceptional trilobites swam in the warm seas of Western Morocco over 475 million years ago. Add $50 for domestic shipping.
Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,500.
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