Short Trident Walliserops sp. Trilobite - 2.2" Long

This bizarre specimen is the "short trident" version of Walliserops. This appears to represent a different (new) species that the short forked Walliserops hammi from Foum Zguid. There is some speculation that the long and short forked species may actually just represent sexual dimorphism within the same species. This specimen is wonderfully prepared with nearly 50 small, free-spines. This would have required over 40 hours of preparation work. Just take a look at the amazing eye facets on this specimen.

The orange line running through the specimen is a natural fault in the rock with orange mineralization. If the buyer doesn't like the look of it, I can "hide" the line for them.

The two large spines on top of the eyes have been composited from another specimen, but all of the other spines are natural. Beyond those two composited spines there is only minor restoration on this specimen, about 2%

Walliserops is a fascinating ancient arthropod that scoured the bottom of a shallow sea floor. It is placed in a genus of spiny, phacopid (acastid) trilobites and it is found in Lower to Middle Devonian (441-358 mya) rocks from Morocco. All species of Walliserops share the spectacular three-pronged "trident" that rises from the glabella. They also have horns over their eyes and intimidating spines along their backs.

Walliserops was highly specialized to deal with an oceanic wonderland in the diverse and dangerous Age of Fish. Specialization is a key difference from the more primitive “bugs” that emerged in the Cambrian.

Walliserops displays an unusual departure from bilateral symmetry. A notable example is the curved occipital spine of W. hammii, which takes a noticeable curl to one side. The regular development of these features in multiple specimens suggests a genetically controlled feature of the genus, not mutation or pathology. Some exceptions to bilateral symmetry can be explained by adaptations that allowed the trident to be held off the sea floor while walking.

The trident's function is an intriguing mystery. Many believe it was used to stir the ocean floor to better scavenge for food. Such a large adornment would have required significant energy and nutrient investment. Although a number of suggestions have been made (e.g. sensory apparatus, disguise or protection), many experts support an idea that the trident served as "horns" similar to present day beetles.

Morroco is an exciting place for discovering new and diverse species that lived in an ancient ocean that covered the northern reaches of the Sahara Desert. All three currently described Walliserops species come from the same strata near Foum Zguid in southern Morocco, though other locations have yielded new trilobites to study. This region is hailed as one of the great fossil treasure troves in the world.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Walliserops sp.
LOCATION
Timrzit, Morocco
SIZE
2.2" long
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#7901
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