Drotops megalomanicus trilobite from Morocco

I'm not sure why but this trilobite makes me giggle a little bit when I hold it. Droptops megalomanicus is the largest trilobite species that I own and it is really cool to look at.This specimen comes from Jebel Mrakib near Alnif in the Tafilalet region of Morocco. The sheer size is rather amazing and reminds me of the Phacops rana trilobites that come from the Silica Shale. However the P. rana from the Silica Shale would get to be around 3-4" in length for a larger specimen while the one pictured below is 6-7" and they could get up to 8" in length.

I like how the trilobite "sits" on the rock. It is not perfectly prone, the pygidium and part of the thorax are slightly twisted and the whole body is slightly flexed. It lends more of an air of authenticity to me whereas something that is perfectly shaped and lain out looks more fake. Specimens of this species are commonly faked and I have seen plaster casts glued onto rock bases being sold as authentic.

Another special feature of this specimen is that the hypostome is preserved. You can see fine lines that are preserved on the hypostome and cephalon underside. These are called terrace ridges (because they sometimes look like contours on a topographical map) and are a good indicator that the specimen is authentic. Fakes do not preserve this level of detail.

Based on the paper by Bernd Kaufmann, "Facies, stratigraphy and diagenesis of Middle Devonian reef-and mud-mounds in the Mader (eastern Anti-Atlas, Morocco)." Acta Geologica Polonica 48 (1998): 43-106., Drotops megalomanicus is from the earliest part of the Givetian stage of the Devonian. He notes that D. megalomanicus is "abundant" within a layer below the Aferdou mud mound feature on Jebel Mrakib.

Coltraneia oufatensis trilobite from Morocco

The tall eyes of this trilobite are a good indication that it is a Coltraneia oufatensis. It comes from the Emsian to Eifelian stage of the Devonian from the Djebel Oufatne area, near Alnif, Tafilalt region, Morocco. Sometimes you will see this same species referred to as Treveropyge but it differs from genus because of the taller eyes. It has very short genal spines extending from the cephalon and short, recurved spines on the Pygidium. The schizochroal eyes are by far the coolest feature of this beastie. Though not the biggest field of lenes, that is reserved for Erbenochile, they are still taller than most other Phacopid type trilobites and give a view of all angles around the animal. An important feature to have when you are on the dinner menu.

Another diagnostic feature of Coltraneia vs. Treveropyge is that the anterior border (bottom edge of the cephalon) gentle curve to it whereas in Treveropyge it is flat.

Morocconites malladoides trilobite from Morocco

Morocconites malladoides is a trilobite that is notable for the unicorn like horn that extends from the anterior margin of the cephalon. Otherwise it looks like any other run of the mill Phacops type trilobite, except that it is in the family Calmoniidae rather than Phacopidae. This means it has more in common with trilobites like Eldredgia sp. and Metacryphaeoides sp. than Eldredgops (Phacops) rana or Greenops sp. It also is the sole species within it's genera. I'm not a trilobite expert but those facts are kinda interesting to me. Anyways back to the specimen!

Other than the spine extending from the cephalon, M. malladoides has a streamlined test with little to no decoration. There are some glabellar furrows but the pygidium is somewhat smooth except for along the central axis. The eyes are high on the Cephalon but are somewhat short or compressed and seem to angle slightly outward at the base where they meet the cheek. There is a minor border that extends around the cephalon and that the spine ties into. There are no lateral spines at the ends of the cephalon.

This specimen comes from the Morocconites Horizon of the Tazoulaït-Formation at Jebel Oufaten , near Alnif, southern Ma'der region, Morocco. Morocconites malloides is from the upper part of the Emsian stage of the Devonian.

Special thanks to Joan Corbacho and Pirhana from the Fossil Forum for helping me with research questions.

Mrakibina cattoi trilobite from Morocco

This cool looking trilobite is Mrakibina cattoi from the El Oftal formation Jebel Mrakib, Ma'der, Alnif, Morocco. It resembles a Greenops sp. trilobite, due to the smooth cephalon thet extends into the genal spines and the feathery looking pygidium. It's the long genal spines that set it apart though as they reach down to the pygidium whereas in Greenops they only extend a short way down the thorax.

This is an authentic trilobite specimen with minimal restoration. You can see some tool marks on the Glabella and other parts of the exoskeleton. The eyes are not as detailed as in some specimens and this could be due to preservation or preparation. What is nice is that the fossil is not perfectly symmetrical and yet does not deviate from the type too much. The pygidium and part of the thorax are slightly lower than the rest of the exoskeleton. To me this gives it a more organic look with some movement.

Kolihapeltis rabatensis trilobite from Morocco

This guy is my new favorite trilobite in my collection. It's Kolihapeltis rabatensis from the Ihandar formation, Kolihapeltis couche (Devonian, Pragian stage)), Jebel Oufatene, Alnif, Morocco. It's a very ornate trilobite that is about three inches (8cm) long. The features that stand out the most are the three long spines that arc over the thorax and originate from each eye and the rear of the glabella. The spines are very delicate and a lot of work has gone into preparing this specimen.The other notable feature is the pygidium which is an oval shaped "shield" that nestles among the spines from the thorax. The presence of this distinctively shaped body part places the trilobite into the Styginidae family which ranks it among similar, and better known, members like Scutellum, Paralejurus and Bumastus. This will be the first member of that Family in my collection.

Here is a detail of the pygidium "shield" of the trilobite. Note the faint lines that parallel the edge of the shell. When you see details like this it is good evidence that the trilobite is authentic and not carved or otherwise faked.

More gorgeous details on the cephalon and one of the eye spines. The layered look of the shell on the spine looks similar to that of a human hair as viewed in a Scanning Electron Microscope. The pebbled surface of the cephalon and tiny eye lenses also speak to the expertise that went into preparing the specimen. You can see where the spine broke during preparation and was glued back together. Considering how delicate they are this is not unexpected.

Ketternaspis (Leonaspis) williamsoni trilobite from Morocco

The spiny trilobite in today's post is Ketternaspis (Leonaspis) williamsoni from Jebel Issoumour, near Alnif, Tafilalet region, Morocco. It is a smaller species and has many spines along the length of the body starting with the genal spines and extending from the pleural lobes all the way to the pygidium. This species also has an occipital spine that extends back from the cephalon over the body but it is missing in this specimen. This is another rough specimen but I am okay with that as long as the price is reasonable. Specimens like these can be useful as examples of techniques used by preparators to replace or enhance features of a specimen. I am not saying this specimen has been faked, but there is some embellishment.

The broken occipital spine and one of the mutilated eyes are seen below.

Another preparation "mistake" is the small spines that ring the rim of the cephalon are "missing". What you see below are groves cut into the stone that look like the spines. It's a trick that some preparators use when the spines are accidentally ground away during exposure of the specimen or were not preserved well.

Because of the way the trilobite was curled in the rock, it was prepared as though in a canyon. This option reduces the amount of work needed to extract all the spines and make sure they are glued back in place.

With this view you can see that part of the cephalon test flaked off during the preparation.

Ketternaspis (Leonaspis) williamsoni comes from the Eifelian stage of the Devonian.

Metacanthina issoumourensis trilobite from Morocco

I think this Trilobite is a Metacanthina issoumourensis. The key identifier, for me, is the little horn on the back of the cephalon (otherwise known as an occipital spine). The specimen is missing the genal spines which should extend about 15mm beyond the edge of the cephalon. It's been prepped in a pedestal presentation and that works somewhat as the pleural spines are not as splayed out as some specimens I've seen.

There is a lot of detail missing from the eyes. Sadly, these are often neglected in some preparations as the rock is removed too quickly and takes some of the shell with it.

Overall this is a rough specimen and I intend to get a better example in the future but, since it did not cost too much, is a good reference piece. This specimen came from Jebel Issoumour near Alnif in the Tafilalet region of Morocco and is dated to the Emsian stage of the Devonian.