Dicranurus

The most striking feature of the Dicranurus is its pair of large, sweeping, ram horns projecting from its head shield (cephalon). These curved horns gave the genus its name, which translates to "twin head." They were likely used for defense or to deter predators in the ancient oceans.

The Dicranurus trilobite lived during the Lower to Middle Devonian period, roughly 400 million years ago. This was a time of significant evolutionary radiation for marine life. They ultimately went extinct during the Late Devonian extinction event.

High-quality Dicranurus fossils are most famously found in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. These Moroccan specimens are often found in beautiful reddish-brown limestone and are meticulously prepared by local artisans. Less complete specimens have also been discovered in Oklahoma, USA.

The extensive spines and elaborate horns of Dicranurus were primarily an evolutionary defense mechanism against predators. These features made it incredibly difficult for predators like nautiloids or early fish to swallow them. They may have also helped distribute the animal's weight over a wider surface area on soft muddy sea floors.