6/12/2023 0 Comments Trilobite eyewitness to evolution![]() The earliest scientific report of a trilobite fossil was by Reverend Edward Lhwyd in 1698. (a) Balcoracania dailyi (~10mm), (b) Paradoxides gracilis (110mm), (c) Olenellus (~20mm) (d) Acadoparadoxides briaerus (300mm) (e) Isotelus rex (720mm), (f) Parabarrandia bohemica (120mm), (g) Pricyclopyge binodosa binodosa (20mm), (h) Cybantyx anaglyptos (50mm), (i) Aulacopleura konincki (20mm) (j) Leonaspis (10mm), (k) Erbenochile erbeni (50mm), (l) Kathwaia capitorosa (~30mm), (m) Ditomopyge (~30mm). Figure 1 - Key trilobite species discussed in the text. Several species, famously those from the Devonian period of Morocco (about 420 million to 360 million years ago), developed a rich array of protective spines, which has made them a popular choice among fossil collectors and dealers. In addition, trilobites have evolved several different life strategies, from burrowing to swimming these are reflected in their varied appearances, or morphologies (Fig. ![]() Over the course of their long history - which dates back to near the beginning of the Cambrian period, around 520 million years ago - they have inhabited a wide range of marine environments, from reefs to abyssal depths. ![]() Trilobites make up one of the most fascinating and diverse groups in the fossil record. ![]()
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