Cyphaspis Trilobite fossil from Morocco

Description

Well preserved and prepared Cyphaspis Trilobite fossil for sale. Lots of detail. The fossil comes from the Devonian age of Morocco. The exact species is hard to determine, The Cypphaspis here resembels Cyphaspis khraidensis with the large blown up Glabella and the small eyes. But C. khraidensis is not known from Djebl Issoumour, until publishing of the literatur I have (2016, 2018). It also does not have the little spine on the neck ring. Cyphaspis cf. khraidensis known from Djebl Issoumour has a neck ring spine, but not an extreme enlarged Glabella. Cyphaspis ihmadi from Djebl Issoumour has larger eyes and no spine on the neck ring. Cyphaspis cf. eberhardiei from Djebl Issoumour has a neck ring spine but large eyes. The Cyphaspis here is probably a new species.

Some literature regarding Cyphaspis species is “Morphological trends and new species of Cyphaspis (Trilobita,Otarioninae) in the Devonian of Morocco, Turkey , Germany and Belgium” from Allart P. Van Viersen and Dieter Holland. Link to Geologica Belgica is:   https://popups.uliege.be/1374-8505/index.php?id=5350

The rock has been initially cracked left to right through the tail of the Trilobite. These cracks are not avoidable. They occur, when quarry workers crack the rock in order to find fossils. Fossils don’t grow on rocks, they hide inside. Unfortunately in the layers of the hardy Devonian rocks fossils appear in all directions. Once the rock is broken the fossil is discovered. Due to the nature of these rocks and the position of the fossil, the fossil is broken too. Experienced Preparators take on the task to glue them back together and to chisel or grind them out. In general cracks and some preparation marks are not avoidable and show that the fossil is real and not faked. There is no damage or replaced parts on this Trilobite.

Moroccan Trilobites like this Cyphaspis Trilobite fossil from Morocco are often master pieces of preparation art. Mining of fossils and their preparation is a great source of income for the people, that live in the  Sahara desert. Whole villages depend on it. Some of the Trilobites processed take up to 100 hours of preparation.

The Cyphaspis Trilobite fossil for sale measures 3 cm or 1.2 inches from head to tail. Head to end of spine measures 4.2 cm or 1.6 inches. The spine on the right side is prepared free standing. There is some seperation beween left cheek and head and thorax. It is a natural occurence either after death or after shedding. Simular to todays Crustaceans.

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