Trilobites - General Discussion
Trilobites are extinct ocean dwelling arthropods that inhabited
the earth during the Paleozoic era. Arthropods have segmented
body appendages and are covered by a chitinous exoskeleton. Trilobites
were the first arthropods to appear on earth over 500 million
years ago. Living arthropods include insects, spiders, centipedes,
crabs and lobsters.
Trilobites are named for the 3 longitudinal lobes of their
bodies. A raised middle lobe begins at the head and runs down
into the tail. A flatter lobe is present at each side of the
middle one. Like all arthropods, trilobites had to molt in order
to grow. Many have facial sutures across the head shield where
the skeleton would split so the animal could crawl out of its
outgrown exoskeleton. Many trilobite fossils are shed skeletons
and lack part of the head shield. A specimen containing the entire
head shield represents the death of that individual. Most of
the post-cambrian trilobites could roll themselves up into a
ball when distressed.
There are about 10,000 known species of trilobites ranging
in size from 5mm to over 70cm (2 feet) Though they became extinct
over 240 million years ago, their fossil remains have been found
on every continent of the world.
FAKES WARNING - CLICK IMAGES TO ZOOM
BUYERS NOTE: Many Moroccan Trilobites are COMPLETELY
FAKE or elaborately constructed from un-associated spare parts.
These fake are convincing to the naked eye are especially common
with certain species.
EXAMPLE: A FAKE Dicranurus can be profitably sold for $100
to $150 wholesale ($200- $350 retail). It would be hard to find
a decent genuine specimen in Morocco for that price!! We believe
our customers deserve better, so if in doubt observe the following
guidelines:
1- Always examine fossils in good light and carry a loop.
2- Use a U.V. unit to check fossils for fluorescing resins.
This depends on type of resin and amount of surface paint used.
The original fossil does not fluoresce.
3- Check for surface detail of the original exoskeleton,
IE: compound eye units, granulation, wavy ridge textures, etc.
Fakes will lack surface definition, and may appear glossy. Eyes
are bumps or resin blobs.
4- Ask for a guarantee of authenticity from the vendor, and
the right to a refund if the piece turns out to be a fake. If
the seller gets too vague, don't buy it!! Find someone knowledgeable
to authenticate it!
5- The hot needle test! This can be applied to the
fossil and matrix (host rock) after purchase. Resin will have
a definite scent!
|
