1.9" Minicryphaeus Minimus Trilobite Fossil Devonian Age Morocco Arthropod COA

Location: Lghaft, Morocco

Weight: 4.4 Ounces 

Dimensions: 3.1 Inches Long, 2.5 Inches Wide, 1 Inch Thick (Matrix)

Trilobite Dimensions: 1.9 Inch Long, 1 Inch Wide, 0.4 Inches Thick

The item pictured is the one you will receive. 

Minicryphaeus Minimus Trilobite

Trilobites are an extinct group of marine arthropods belonging to the class Trilobita. They are among the earliest complex animals in Earth’s history, first appearing around 521 million years ago at the start of the Atdabanian stage of the Early Cambrian period. These remarkable creatures inhabited the ancient seas of the Paleozoic Era, long before the age of dinosaurs, and served as key indicators of early marine ecosystems.

Trilobites were the first animals to develop a hard exoskeleton, which made their bodies highly fossilizable. Their shells were divided into three longitudinal lobes: a central axial lobe and two symmetrical pleural lobes, giving them their name, “trilobite,” meaning “three-lobed.” This unique body design made them both durable and easily recognizable in the fossil record.

The trilobite body is divided into three major sections. The cephalon (head) housed eyes, mouthparts, and sensory structures like antennae. The thorax (middle) consisted of multiple articulated segments, ranging from 2 to 61, which allowed for flexibility and movement. The pygidium (tail) was formed by fused segments that completed their streamlined body structure.

Trilobite fossils are highly prized by paleontologists, collectors, and museums for their remarkable preservation and scientific significance. They provide invaluable insights into Cambrian marine life, prehistoric arthropod evolution, and the rich biodiversity of the Paleozoic oceans, making trilobites one of the most iconic extinct marine animals in Earth’s history.

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 visible on the surface. These are part of the natural beauty of the fossil and are not considered defects.