Rare, 2.4" Platyscutellum Massai Trilobite - Aatchana, Morocco

This is a 2.4" long specimen of Platyscutellum massai, a rare species of scutellid trilobite from Aatchana, Morocco. This distinctive species is particularly admired for its broad, fan-shaped pygidium (tail shield), which contrasts beautifully with its rounded cephalon and intricately segmented thorax. Far less commonly encountered than many of Morocco's more familiar Devonian trilobites, Platyscutellum massai is a desirable addition to any serious trilobite collection.

The specimen exhibits excellent preservation and meticulous preparation, with its rich, golden-brown exoskeleton beautifully exposed against the contrasting limestone matrix. The trilobite is attractively positioned on a natural limestone plate, creating an elegant display that highlights its unusual morphology. Restoration is limited to approximately 3% of the shell, making this a particularly appealing example of an uncommon and distinctive species.

About Trilobites

Trilobites were a very diverse group of extinct marine arthropods. They first appeared in the fossil record in the Early Cambrian (521 million years ago) and went extinct during the Permian mass extinction (250 million years ago). They were one of the most successful of the early animals on our planet: over 25,000 species have been described, filling nearly every evolutionary niche. Due in large part to their hard exoskeletons (shells), they left an excellent fossil record.


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DETAILS
SPECIES
Platyscutellum massai (Alberti, 1981)
LOCATION
Aatchana, Morocco
FORMATION
Lhandar Formation
SIZE
2.4" long
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#381468
GUARANTEE
We guarantee the authenticity of all of our specimens.