Drotops Megalomanicus Fossil Trilobite

5inches/12.5cm height

Weight
600g


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Description

Fine example of the Drotops Megalomanicus Trilobite, this large Arthropod, giant phacopid,[the Moroccans call this species "Phacops epine"]. These giant phacopids belong to the genus Drotops Struve 1990, and were described by Struve in 1990 and 1995. See below

Drotops Trilobite history

These giant Phacop from Morocco have been called various names by collectors over the years, the most common of which is Phacops africanus. They do not belong to this species, and in fact are not even Phacops. These giant phacopids belong to the genus Drotops Struve 1990, and were described by Struve in 1990 and 1995. Two main species occur: 1. Drotops megalomanicus Struve, 1990 and 2. Drotops armatus Struve 1995 (the Moroccans call this species "Phacops epine").

Both of these species occur in the Middle Devonian (Eifelian) of the Mar (Ma'der) Region, in the Pre-Sahara of SE Morocco.

The most common locality for these trilobites is Djebl (Jbel) Issoumour (or Mt. Issoumour) in the upper layers of the trilobite-bearing units, but it also occurs in equivalent strata throughout the basin.

General Trilobite Anatomy

The name derived from the three [Trilo], distinct, head to tail lobes of the body, the Left pleural lobe, the [central] axial lobe, right pleural lobe.

The other main parts of the body Cephalon [head {Glabella-cranium}], thorax [mid body section], Pygidium [Tail].

Condition Report

Showing great preservation and detail, especially to the Cephalon [head] and remarkably preserved eyes, which have been sympathetically cleaned to expose the individual segments of the multi compound lens structure.

Great care has been taken to expose the Trilobite from the rock which entombed it for eons, Well positioned, exposing full anatomy, of the Cephalon/Glabella [head], thorax [mid body section], Pygidium [Tail], with no malformation or crushing, in a almost crawling position over the fossilised bedrock pedestal base.

Genus

Drotops Megalomanicus Trilobite sp.

Geological Age

Paleozoic Era, Devonian Period, around 390 million years ago

Location

Middle Devonian, Region Ma'der, SE Morocco