Click images to enlarge
Description
Bigotina n. sp. C (Geyer & Pais, in prep.) #9629
COMPLETE ADULT EXTERNAL MOULD WITH DORSAL AND VENTRAL PARTS - EXTREMELY RARE (!)
Cambrian Souss Lagerstätte.
Northern slope of the Western Anti-Atlas Mountains, Morocco.
Restoration details: No restoration. The dorsal part was prepared to display the librigenae and the pygidium.
Dimensions :
Total Sagittal Length (TL): 8.5 mm (Complete from the anterior border to the micropygeous pygidium). Maximum Observed Width: 7.0 mm (Measured from the asymmetrical left margin to the tip of the preserved right genal spine). Calculated Adult Width (TW): 9.0 mm (Reconstructed width factoring in the taphonomic absence of the missing genal spine).
Morphological Proportion: The adult profile is slightly wider than long (~1:1.05 ratio), highlighting a unique evolutionary trend toward a naturally miniaturized, hydrodynamically stable body plan.
Weight: 226 g (part and counterpart of the matrix).
Locality: Tazemmourt Section, Northern slope of the Western Anti-Atlas, Morocco.
Identification and Taxonomy:
Species: Bigotina n. sp. C (undescribed); Family: Bigotinidae; Superfamily: Ellipsocephaloidea; Order: Ptychopariida; Class: Trilobita.
The systematics and identification of this clade and specimens are complex and explained below.
Lithostratigraphy: Tiout Member of the Igoudine Formation (Lower Cambrian, Series 2, Stage 3).
Biostratigraphy: Eofallotaspis Zone of the Issendalenian.
Age: Cambrian, Early Paleozoic Era. 521-515 million years old.
Collection: PAIS 9629; Collected April 2026.
Discussion about the systematics and identification of the specimens (Geyer & Pais, in prep.):
"Bigotinids belong to the earliest and least understood trilobite families. Their early occurrence “out of the nowhere” in the Moroccan Anti-Atlas (and in Siberia!) is one of the biggest trilobite puzzles."
Very few specimens (8 in 7 plates) of this new species have been found since 2019.
Nevertheless, they are obviously a new taxa, as:
a) They lack either a plectrum (as in Bigotinops sp.), either a subacute front ant anterior border with distinct "kink" on the sagittal axis (as in Hupetina antiqua);
b) They present a short glabella - not as in Bigotina kelleri (Geyer 2019), Bigotina monningeri (Geyer 2019) and in Bigotina sp. A and Bigotina sp. B (both undescribed but already identified in Geyer 2019);
c) All specimens found till date show distinctively:
- Elliptical bodies;
- Short glabella;
- Minute adults sizes and
- Maximun size of 9 mm and ~1:1 ratio (length/width)
They are very probably a unique species from the Tazemmourt section (named by now as Bigotina sp. C, Pais & Geyer, in. prep.).
This specimen is by far the most detailed one till date and the first one were the presence of tiny genal spines have been proved, as the right librigenea is present on the dorsal part of the mould and clearly imprinted on its ventral part, with extreme detail.
On this specimen:
Glabella & Furrows: Highly elevated, convex, and broadly subconical with a bulbous anterior lobe. The lateral glabellar furrows (S1, S2, S3) are deeply incised and heavily iron-stained, outlining primitive segmentation. Anterior Boundary: The anterior border furrow is deeply defined and exhibits the key generic trait: it remains completely uniform in depth and width across its entire course, showing no lateral shallowing. The anterior border rim is smooth and evenly curved without any sagittal kink. It lacks a plectrum.
Ventral Elements: The underside displays a wide, crescentic cephalic doublure with a cleanly preserved micro-granular surface texture. One robust micro-pleural/genal spine is fully preserved on the ventral margin.
Thorax: Composed of 14 fully articulated thoracic segments. The axial ring chain forms an elevated central column that tapers uniformly backward. Every thoracic segment features deep pleural grooves terminating in short, sharply pointed micro-pleural spines directed posterolaterally. Pygidium: Strictly micropygeous. Reduced to a minute, button-like terminal plate seamlessly fused directly behind the 14th thoracic segment.
For detailed information consult the Mediterranic website - mediterranic.com > The Cambrian Souss-Lagerstätte > Trilobites > Family Bigotinidae.
Description (main features):
Top grade plate of a rare species. Excelent collector item.
Complete adult external exoskeleton mould, dorsal and ventral parts.
A more than rare fossil record.
In general, the specimen is very well preserved, showing almost all the key structures of the species. Cmplete and fully iron-oxidated (golden colour) specimen of this species.
Cephalon is typical of adult individuals: Frontal lobe slightly narrower, giving the whole glabella an acute aspect; Interocular areas similar to a slightly extended quarter-segment of a circle;
Elliptical body. Visible pygidium.
Complete thorax on right and left lobes.
Very conspicuous pleurae with evident well-preserved pleural spines. Well-marked axial furrows.
A very well-preserved specimen on its whole.
100% natural – no sculping, no painting, no shadowing, no composite additions.
No restoration — the specimen is presented exactly as collected; the matrix was prepared to expose the dorsal part of the mould in full.
Consult this and more about the Souss-Lagerstätte specimens at our website (see text).
See other interesting Bigotinoids Trilobites listings
See other interesting Cambrian Trilobites listings
Why buy from Mediterranic?
• 22+ years | 100% positive feedback | Scientifically accurate IDs
• All specimens fully disclosed: glued if fractured, never composited or restored
• Museum-grade preparation | Extra-safe worldwide shipping with tracking
• Open to reasonable offers | Combined shipping & wholesale available
Questions? Message us directly — we reply within hours. We’re happy to provide additional photos, details, or scientific references.
For more on Cambrian fossils, our full collection and free papers, visit our site.
Payment
Please make your first contact within three (3) days after purchase and payment within seven (7) days after purchase; otherwise, business will be considered null and item will be re-listed;
You can pay using PayPal. For other ways of payment, please contact us first;
Returns with refunds are accepted for full money back and for genuine reasons only (item not as described). If your item arrives broken (not often, but it happens), please contact us before taking any other action. We ask you to send us a video and photos of the object when unpacking it, to take the appropriate procedures at the post office, to substitute the item, to refund you or to present an alternative solution. Please contact us to return your item as soon as possible and within seven (7) days;
We guarantee you will be 100% satisfied with your item(s) or we will refund your purchase price in full after the safe return of the item(s) in original condition. All sales come with this policy, no questions asked;
We return your money as soon as we receive the item; please use a traceable carrier; the refund will take place using the same method of payment. We do not pay shipping, handling and insurance costs at returns;
If your item arrives damaged, please contact us and we will resolve everything at costumer’s best convenience. But DOA (Damage on Arrival) should be reported within 24 hours from the arrival time;
Shipping
Shipping time overseas depends on the post offices speed, the location in each country and the type of shipping; intercontinental shipping can take 2-3 till 5 weeks (normally much less, but please take all this into account when waiting for your purchases - they always arrive!) - and when leaving feedback about this question (please see the date of effective shipping and not the date of arrival);
We will send you a tracking link for your package.
About Us
Please consult ABOUT US PAGE and confirm our business information and also our feedback.
You can also find us at MEDITERRANIC.com
Before and after, contact us every time you need. You are always welcome! Thank you so much for looking at our items.
