.45" Pyritized Triarthrus Trilobite With Appendages & Eggs!

This is an incredible, pyritized specimen of the trilobite Triarthrus eatoni preserving appendages, antennae, and even EGGS!. Until recently little had been known about the reproduction of these iconic paleozoic arthropods, and never before have unambiguous eggs or genitalia been found preserved. Trilobites from a single layer of the a quarry in the Whetstone Gulf Formation of New York, were found to have associated eggs still in place. The eggs are spherical to elliptical in shape, about 200 µm in size, and are clustered in the genal area of the cephalon. The location of the eggs is consistent with where modern female horseshoe crabs release their unfertilized eggs.

The localities that preserve trilobites with soft bodied preservation can probably be counted on one hand. One of these localities is the historic Beecher's beds in the Lorraine Group of New York. Less than a decade ago a new locality was discovered a short distance away that has produced amazing, soft-bodied preservation of trilobites and other organisms. Because of the rapid burial of the trilobites, in an anoxic environment the soft body parts were replaced by pyrite, preserving details not typically seen.

This is a very detailed, dorsally preserved specimen that measures approximately .45" and is located on a 3.5 x 3" slab of shale. Comes with an acrylic display stand.

Included with your specimen is a printed copy of the cropped in photo seen above.