description Isotelus rex Overview
Isotelus rex is a remarkably large species of trilobite belonging to the Asaphida order. Recovered from Ordovician-age rocks in Manitoba, Canada, it represents the largest complete trilobite fossil ever discovered reaching approximately 72 centimeters in length. This specimen provides crucial insights into the size and diversity of arthropods during the Ordovician period and is of particular interest to paleontologists studying Cambrian and early Paleozoic marine life.
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Isotelus rex ranks #9 of 194 in the Trilobite ranking, behind Dicranurus, ahead of Comura.
help Isotelus rex FAQ
Where was the Isotelus rex trilobite fossil discovered?
Isotelus rex was recovered from Ordovician-age rocks in northern Manitoba, Canada, specifically from deposits along the Hudson Bay coast. The region is known for its well-preserved Ordovician marine fossils, making it a significant site for paleontological research into ancient arthropods.
How large is the Isotelus rex specimen?
The Isotelus rex holotype measures approximately 72 centimeters (about 28 inches) in length, making it the largest complete trilobite fossil ever discovered. This dwarfs most other trilobite species, which typically range from just a few centimeters to around 30 centimeters long.
What geological period did Isotelus rex live in?
Isotelus rex lived during the Ordovician period, roughly 445 to 450 million years ago. This was a time of great marine biodiversity, and trilobites of the order Asaphida, to which Isotelus belongs, were widespread across shallow seas covering what is now North America.
What type of trilobite is Isotelus rex classified as?
Isotelus rex belongs to the order Asaphida, a group of trilobites characterized by their relatively smooth exoskeletons and typically medium to large body sizes. Asaphids were among the last major trilobite lineages to persist before the group's eventual extinction at the end of the Permian.
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