1.3" Cyphaspis Otarion Spiny Trilobite Fossil Devonian Age 400 Mil Yrs Old COA

Location: Oufaten, Morocco

Weight: 4.7 Ounces 

Dimensions: 3 Inches Long, 2.6 Inches Wide, 1.2 Inches Thick (Matrix)

Trilobite Dimensions are: 1.3 Inches Long, 1.2 Inches Wide, 0.4 Inches Thick

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

This is a genuine fossil.

The item pictured is the one you will receive.

Cyphaspis Otarion Spiny Trilobite

Trilobites were an extinct lineage of marine arthropods belonging to the class Trilobita and represent one of the earliest major groups of arthropods known from the fossil record. Their first appearance occurred approximately 521 million years ago during the Early Cambrian period, defining the beginning of the Atdabanian stage. Trilobites inhabited Earth’s oceans for much of the Paleozoic Era, becoming widespread and diverse before their extinction long prior to the rise of dinosaurs.

The success of trilobites can largely be attributed to their mineralized exoskeleton, the earliest recognized skeletal structure in animals. This rigid outer shell provided protection and structural support while also ensuring exceptional preservation of fossils. Their bodies were divided longitudinally into three distinct lobes—a central axial lobe flanked by two pleural lobes—an arrangement reflected in the name trilobite, meaning “three-lobed.”

Structurally, the trilobite body was composed of three main regions. The cephalon, or head, contained compound eyes, feeding appendages, and sensory structures such as antennae. The thorax formed the central region and consisted of two to sixty-one articulated segments, allowing flexibility and movement. The posterior region, known as the pygidium, comprised fused segments that formed a stable tail shield.

Trilobites occupied a wide range of marine environments and played a significant role in early ocean ecosystems. Their extensive fossil record provides critical information on early arthropod evolution, Cambrian biodiversity, and the development of complex marine life during the Paleozoic Era.

Please be aware of the nature of fossils:

Being buried under the ground for millions of years under tons of pressure tends to be rough. No fossil comes out of the ground whole and perfect. Most fossils have undergone some restoration, while others are altered by man simply to enhance their presentation in different ways. The workers in Morocco do a very professional job of unearthing and preserving these natural treasures; however, natural cracks are commonly visible on the surface. These are part of the natural beauty of the fossil and are not considered defects.