Description
This is one of the finest examples of ventral soft tissue anatomy on a trilobite. The plate features two Triarthrus eatoni trilobites, both lying upside down in ventral pose. While each of the individual trilobites are exceptional with preserved legs, antennae and other anatomy, one of these trilobites is truly incredible.
The lower specimen on the plate features near perfect preservation of all anatomy as existed some 450 million years ago. The underside of the of the cephalon is busy, with perfectly preserved features rarely seen even in exceptional specimens. The gnathobases (to crush food), the supposed metastome, the mouth area, antennae abductors and even the tiny fourth set of cephalic appendages are present. The thorax shows near perfect legs, some with visible tripartite claw tips. The pygidium is loaded with diminutive legs, lots of gill filaments and a rumored anal element extending from the rear (drawing on some of the more speculative portions of Cisne’s work in the 1970’s). The antennae are stunning on this one.
As an added bonus a second ventral sits just above this one. The trilobites line up antennae to antennae in a face off position.
