description Dorypyge Overview
Dorypyge is an extinct genus of Middle Cambrian trilobites in the family Dorypygidae and the order Corynexochida. Fossils have been reported from North America and Asia. The genus is recognized by its elongated pygidium, the rear shield of the trilobite body, which bears marginal spines. Dorypyge is part of the diverse Cambrian marine arthropod record used to study early trilobite evolution and geographic distribution.
help Dorypyge FAQ
What is Dorypyge?
Dorypyge is an extinct genus of Middle Cambrian trilobites in the family Dorypygidae and order Corynexochida. Its fossils have been reported from North America and Asia.
How can Dorypyge be recognized?
Dorypyge is recognized by an elongated pygidium, the rear shield of the trilobite body. The pygidium also bears marginal features described as spines or related edge structures.
Where have Dorypyge fossils been found?
Reports place Dorypyge fossils in both North America and Asia. This gives the genus a broad geographic fossil record across Middle Cambrian marine deposits.
What does the pygidium do in a trilobite?
The pygidium is the rear shield, formed from the fused rear segments of a trilobite. In Dorypyge, this part is especially notable because it is elongated and has marginal structures.
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