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

Location: Oufaten, Morocco

Weight: 4.5 Ounces 

Dimensions: 2.8 Inches Long, 2 Inches Wide, 1.4 Inches Thick (Matrix)

Trilobite Dimensions are: 1.5 Inches Long, 1.2 Inches Wide, 0.5 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 extinct marine arthropods belonging to the class Trilobita. They represent one of the earliest known arthropod lineages and first appeared in Earth’s oceans around 521 million years ago during the Early Cambrian period. Their emergence marks the beginning of the Atdabanian stage in the fossil record. Trilobites became one of the most successful and recognizable life forms of the Paleozoic Era, disappearing millions of years before dinosaurs evolved.

Life in Ancient Seas
These animals inhabited Earth’s early oceans for hundreds of millions of years. Protected by a rigid outer shell, trilobites occupied a wide range of marine environments and played a major role in early ocean ecosystems. Their long evolutionary history and widespread distribution make them essential fossils for understanding ancient marine life.

Body Design
Trilobites possessed a hard exoskeleton, the earliest known skeletal structure in animals, which allowed for exceptional fossil preservation. Their bodies were divided lengthwise into three distinct lobes—a raised central axial lobe and two pleural lobes on either side—giving rise to the name trilobite, meaning “three-lobed.”

Anatomy
The trilobite body was organized into three functional regions:

• Cephalon (head): Contained compound eyes, feeding structures, and sensory organs such as antennae

• Thorax: A flexible midsection composed of 2 to 61 articulated segments, allowing movement and defense

• Pygidium (tail): Fused segments forming a protective rear shield

Why They Matter
Trilobites are among the earliest complex life forms on Earth. Their abundant and well-preserved fossils provide critical insight into early arthropod evolution, Cambrian biodiversity, and the structure of Paleozoic marine ecosystems.

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.