Location: Lghaft, Morocco
Weight: 6.5 Ounces
Dimensions: 2.1 Inches Long, 2.1 Inches Wide, 1.6 Inches Thick [Matrix]
Trilobite Dimensions: 2.1 Inches Long, 1.2 Inches Wide, 0.5 Inches Thick
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Coltraenia Oufatenensis
Trilobites are extinct marine arthropods belonging to the class Trilobita and rank among the earliest animals with complex body structures. They first appeared about 521 million years ago during the Early Cambrian period and flourished in prehistoric seas throughout the Paleozoic Era, making them some of the most important fossils for understanding early marine evolution.
Early Skeletal Innovation
Trilobites were the first known organisms to possess a hardened exoskeleton, which served as both protection and structural support. This mineralized shell is the primary reason trilobite fossils are so commonly found and well preserved in sedimentary rock worldwide.
Signature Three-Lobed Structure
The trilobite body is uniquely divided lengthwise into three distinct lobes—a raised axial lobe at the center and two pleural lobes on either side. This defining feature gives trilobites their name, meaning “three-lobed,” and makes them instantly recognizable among fossil arthropods.
Body Regions and Function
Trilobites display a highly organized body plan composed of three major sections:
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Cephalon [head]: Equipped with compound eyes, feeding structures, and sensory organs such as antennae
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Thorax: Formed by multiple articulated segments, allowing flexibility, enrollment, and movement
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Pygidium [tail]: A fused tail section that completes the body and adds stability
Extinction and Lasting Value
Although trilobites disappeared millions of years before dinosaurs evolved, they remain among the most studied and collected Paleozoic fossils. Their diversity, anatomical complexity, and excellent preservation make trilobites invaluable to paleontology, education, and fossil collecting, offering a direct connection to Earth’s earliest ocean ecosystems.
Please be aware of the nature of fossils:
Fossils buried for millions of years under intense pressure often appear rough and imperfect. Fully intact fossils are rare; most require restoration, and some are even modified by humans to enhance their appearance. In Morocco, skilled workers meticulously excavate and preserve these natural treasures, though natural cracks are frequently visible on the surface. These cracks are considered part of the fossil's natural beauty and are not seen as flaws.