Description
A large, 5 cm purple Olenellus chiefensis trilobite on a beautiful banded plate of matrix accompanied by a rare Perspicaris sp. phyllocarid. The matrix is one of the most aesthetic pieces we have seen combining purples and oranges with dendrite crystal growths across the plate. This Olenelus chiefensis trilobite is a large, perfect specimen with an unusual over-mineralization of the telson (tail spine), which appears to be encrusted in iron, borrowed from a nearby iron band within the rock. The Perspicaris phyllocarid was recently (Lieberman, 2015) noted to be present in the Pioche Shale. This 1.3 cm example is very well preserved with a leathery, wrinkled exoskeleton. Outstanding specimen!
Age: Lower Cambrian
Species Name: Olenellus chiefensis
Order / Family: Redlichiida / Olenellidae
Locality: Lincoln County, Nevada
Formation: Pioche Shale
