Gerastos sp. -Morocco 06

Taxa: Gerastos sp.

Age: Devonian

Locality: Erfoud, Morocco

This specimen is an exceptional example of the proetid trilobite Gerastos sp. from Morocco. Moroccan trilobites rarely show up this nice. Minimal restoration is inevitable on most fossils, but the quality of the work is above average for a Moroccan trilobite.

Gerastos

Gerastos is an extinct genus of trilobites that lived during the Devonian period. These marine arthropods belonged to the order Proetida and were characterized by their compact, oval-shaped bodies, well-defined glabella (central lobe of the head), and relatively smooth exoskeleton. Fossils of Gerastos have been found in various locations, including North Africa and Europe, providing insights into Devonian marine ecosystems.

Trilobites

 Trilobites lived from the Cambrian into the Permian. There are over 25,000 known species and their hard exoskeleton is the reason we have such a good understanding of these animals. Trilobite (“three lobed”) are extinct arthropods. Their bodies were devided into three parts: the cephalon (head), the body (thorax), and the pygidium (tail). Trilobite fossils are found worldwide, with many thousands of known species. Because they are so common, trilobites serve as excellent index fossils. This means that identifying the type of trilobite enables geologist to date and age the rocks in which they are found. When threatened some trilobites acted much like today's pillbugs—tucking in their legs and antennae, by bending the thorax and bringing the tail underneath the head. Trilobites roll up in a ball for protection providing additional protection for the appendages and soft parts.