Best Phacopida
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Eldredgeops is a genus of phacopid trilobites known chiefly from Middle Devonian rocks in eastern and central North America. Like related phacopids, it had large schizochroal compound eyes, a strongly vaulted exoskeleton, and the ability to enroll for protection. The genus was named for paleontologi...
Drotops megalomanicus is a large phacopid trilobite from Lower Devonian marine deposits in Morocco. It is distinguished by a broad, strongly vaulted exoskeleton, prominent compound eyes, and a surface covered with conspicuous tubercles. Complete specimens can reach roughly 15 centimeters or more, ma...
Calymene blumenbachii is a species of trilobite from Silurian rocks, particularly the Wenlock Limestone around Dudley in the English West Midlands. Its compact, segmented exoskeleton could roll into a defensive ball, and abundant local fossils became popularly known as the Dudley Bug or Dudley Locus...
Erbenochile is a Devonian trilobite discovered in Morocco. This fossil is notable due to its exceptionally large, tower-like schizochroal eyes, which afforded it near panoramic vision. The structure represents the phacopida group and offers valuable insight into the visual capabilities of early arth...
Aulacopleura is a genus of small trilobites known especially from Silurian deposits in the Czech Republic. Large assemblages of Aulacopleura koninckii preserve individuals across many growth stages, allowing researchers to reconstruct how segments were added and body proportions changed during devel...
Drotops is a genus of phacopid trilobites from Devonian marine rocks of what is now Morocco. Specimens are recognized by a broad cephalon, a strongly segmented thorax, prominent compound eyes of the schizochroal type, and an ability to enroll for protection. Some species attained comparatively large...
Erbenochile erbeni is a Devonian-era trilobite discovered in Morocco. It’s notable for possessing exceptionally large, hypertrophied eyes—the tallest “tower-eyes” and widest visual field among known phacopids. This fossil offers insights into the evolution of complex vision in ancient marine inverte...
Phacops rana is an iconic Devonian trilobite found primarily in eastern North America. Its exceptionally large, compound eyes are notable for their detailed structure and played a key role in paleontological research. The species was extensively studied by Niles Eldredge, contributing to the develop...
Dalmanites limulurus is an extinct species of trilobite from Silurian rocks in New York State, including the Rochester Shale. It belongs to Dalmanitidae, a family within the order Phacopida, and has the prominent eyes, segmented exoskeleton, and elongated terminal spine associated with its genus. It...
Hollardops is a genus of phacopid trilobites known from Devonian marine rocks in Morocco, particularly deposits exposed in the Anti-Atlas region. Like other phacopids, it possessed prominent schizochroal compound eyes in which relatively large lenses were individually separated. Complete specimens a...
Deiphon represents a notable Silurian trilobite genus belonging to the Cheiruridae family. This European fossil, discovered in Bohemia, is characterized by its globose body shape and prominent spines on the glabella. It’s particularly valuable for paleontologists studying the evolution of early tril...
Psychopyge represents a distinctive Devonian trilobite genus originating from Morocco. Its most notable feature is a markedly elongated, bifurcated rostrum extending from its cephalon – a morphology rarely observed in phacopida. These fossils are valuable for paleontologists studying the evolution a...
Calymene blumenbachi represents an iconic Silurian trilobite discovered primarily in European deposits dating back to the Early Paleozoic Era. This enrolled phacopida species is notable for being among the earliest trilobites meticulously documented by scientists. Its well-preserved fossil remains p...
Phacops is a Devonian trilobite species originating from North America. It’s notable for its unique schizochroal eyes, complex structures that could move independently to track movement. These eyes provided crucial evidence supporting Niles Eldredge's theory of punctuated equilibrium in the 1970s. T...
Metacanthina is a genus of phacopid trilobites known from Devonian marine deposits in Morocco. Fossils assigned to the genus typically have a strongly inflated central glabellar region, prominent schizochroal compound eyes, and a body capable of enrollment. Prepared specimens are widely sold to foss...
Greenops is a genus of phacopid trilobites known from Devonian marine rocks in North America. Fossils assigned to the genus have a segmented exoskeleton, prominent eyes, and spines extending from parts of the thorax and pygidium, while articulated specimens can preserve the enrolled defensive postur...
Barrandeops is a genus of phacopid trilobites known from Devonian marine deposits, particularly specimens collected in Morocco. Like other phacopids, it possessed large schizochroal compound eyes made from relatively few, individually separated lenses, along with a strongly developed central area of...
Encrinurus is an extinct genus of trilobite belonging to the order Phacopida that lived during the Silurian period. Fossils of this marine arthropod are widely distributed across sedimentary deposits in North America and Europe. It is easily recognized by its heavily tuberculate exoskeleton and a di...
Sphaerexochus is a genus of cheirurid trilobites known from Ordovician and Silurian marine rocks. Its most recognizable feature is a strongly inflated, rounded glabella, the raised central region at the front of the exoskeleton, which gives the cephalon a bulbous profile. Fossils assigned to the gen...
Ceraurus is an extinct genus of cheirurid trilobites that thrived in shallow marine environments during the Ordovician period. These arthropods are commonly found in Paleozoic limestone deposits across North America and parts of Europe. The genus is distinguished by its heavily armored exoskeleton,...
Dalmanites is an extinct genus of phacopid trilobites that existed throughout the Silurian and Early Devonian periods. Fossils of this arthropod are widespread, commonly discovered in marine sedimentary rocks across North America, Europe, and South America. It is physically recognized by its well-de...
Cheirurus is an extinct genus of trilobite belonging to the family Cheiruridae, with a fossil record spanning the Ordovician through the Devonian periods. These marine arthropods are characterized by their distinctive, multi-lobed pygidium, or tail shield, which extends into prominent spines. Fossil...
Crotalocephalus is an extinct genus of trilobites belonging to the family Cheiruridae, with fossils predominantly found in Devonian marine deposits across Europe and North Africa. Paleontologists recognize the genus by its heavily ornamented, nodose exoskeleton and a robust, multi-segmented pygidium...
Calymene is a genus of trilobites that lived primarily during the Silurian period, with fossils commonly found across Europe and North America. As a member of the order Phacopida, these arthropods are recognized for their well-preserved enrolled fossils. The species Calymene blumenbachii, nicknamed...
Flexicalymene is an extinct genus of trilobites that existed during the Ordovician period. These arthropods are commonly found in the limestones of the Cincinnati region in Ohio, USA, as well as in parts of Europe. Flexicalymene trilobites are frequently discovered in an enrolled state, rolled into...
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