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Trident Nosed Walliserops With Enrolled Phacops
Here is one of the strangest, and impressive species of trilobites known, Walliserops trifurcatus. One can only guess at the purpose of the weird trident like appendage jutting out in front of it's head. The tail of the Walliserops is tucked down and it's 1.6 inches around the curve. Below it's pygidium (tail) there is another passenger, a partially enrolled phacops.
Yes, the trident and all of the free standing spines on this beauty are real (unlike so many on the market). A number of the small free standing spines still have some of the original matrix clinging to them. They were painstakingly prepped out of the solid limestone using air abrasives under microscope. This piece likely took close to 40 hours of work to prepare.
The only restoration work done to the Walliserops is around a hairline crack through the head, the base of the trident and some very minor touchups of surface scratches that I made (1-2%). Nothing has been added to either trilobite on this piece.
Yes, the trident and all of the free standing spines on this beauty are real (unlike so many on the market). A number of the small free standing spines still have some of the original matrix clinging to them. They were painstakingly prepped out of the solid limestone using air abrasives under microscope. This piece likely took close to 40 hours of work to prepare.
The only restoration work done to the Walliserops is around a hairline crack through the head, the base of the trident and some very minor touchups of surface scratches that I made (1-2%). Nothing has been added to either trilobite on this piece.
About Walliserops
The trilobite genus Walliserops is one of the most visually striking and iconic trilobites known, famous for its elaborate cranidial (head) ornamentation. These Devonian-aged trilobites lived approximately 390 million years ago and are found exclusively in the marine limestones of the Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco, particularly near Foum Zguid,
Walliserops belongs to the order Phacopida and the family Acastidae. It is best known for the distinctive trident-like projection extending from the front of its glabella (the central lobe of the head), a feature unmatched in any other trilobite. The function of this bizarre structure is still debated; some paleontologists suggest it may have played a role in mate recognition, species display, or even combat, akin to a rhinoceros horn. In addition to the trident, Walliserops trilobites often display long, curved genal spines and elaborately spined thoraxes, enhancing their alien-like appearance.
There are several described species within the genus, including Walliserops trifurcatus, W. hammii, and W. tridens, which differ slightly in the length, curvature, and orientation of the trident and other spines. These trilobites are highly sought after by collectors and researchers alike, both for their aesthetic appeal and the evolutionary questions they raise about morphological development and behavior in ancient arthropods.
Due to the complexity of their anatomy and the challenges of preparing specimens from hard limestone matrix, well-preserved Walliserops fossils require meticulous preparation, and many of the finest examples are partially or fully freed from the rock to showcase their dramatic three-dimensional form.
A photo of the quarry at Foum Zguid. The Walliserops come out of the very bottom layer, which requires 1-2 meters of limestone overburden to be removed.
The trilobite genus Walliserops is one of the most visually striking and iconic trilobites known, famous for its elaborate cranidial (head) ornamentation. These Devonian-aged trilobites lived approximately 390 million years ago and are found exclusively in the marine limestones of the Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco, particularly near Foum Zguid,
Walliserops belongs to the order Phacopida and the family Acastidae. It is best known for the distinctive trident-like projection extending from the front of its glabella (the central lobe of the head), a feature unmatched in any other trilobite. The function of this bizarre structure is still debated; some paleontologists suggest it may have played a role in mate recognition, species display, or even combat, akin to a rhinoceros horn. In addition to the trident, Walliserops trilobites often display long, curved genal spines and elaborately spined thoraxes, enhancing their alien-like appearance.
There are several described species within the genus, including Walliserops trifurcatus, W. hammii, and W. tridens, which differ slightly in the length, curvature, and orientation of the trident and other spines. These trilobites are highly sought after by collectors and researchers alike, both for their aesthetic appeal and the evolutionary questions they raise about morphological development and behavior in ancient arthropods.
Due to the complexity of their anatomy and the challenges of preparing specimens from hard limestone matrix, well-preserved Walliserops fossils require meticulous preparation, and many of the finest examples are partially or fully freed from the rock to showcase their dramatic three-dimensional form.
A photo of the quarry at Foum Zguid. The Walliserops come out of the very bottom layer, which requires 1-2 meters of limestone overburden to be removed.
SPECIES
Walliserops trifurcatus and Phacops
AGE
LOCATION
Foum Zguid Morocco
FORMATION
N/A
SIZE
2.6"
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#482
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