Description
From the Montenegro Member of the Campito Formation of Nevada comes this incredible example of the oldest complete trilobite one can likely obtain. This large specimen measures 3.3 cm and nearly as wide with 3.1 cm from genal spine to genal spine, easily one of the largest examples of this type we’ve seen. While the name “Eofallotaspis” is often thrown at early Fallotaspid trilobites, this specimen closely resembles Amplifallotaspis keni – a species described from cephalons alone that pre-dates Eofallotaspis. The genal angles and curve match Amplifallotaspis almost exactly. This specimen appears complete with a small button-like pygidium. The exoskeleton is preserved partly in orange silica, as well as intruding pockets of Limonite (iron oxides). This is an outstanding specimen of one of the very first trilobites found in the fossil record!
Age: Lower Cambrian
Species Name: Amplifallotaspis – Eofallotaspis
Order / Family: Relichiida / Fallotaspidoidea
Locality: Esmeralda County, Nevada
Formation: Campito Formation
