Reedops sp.-Morocco B7

Taxa: Reedops sp.

Age: Devonian

Locality: Erfoud, Morocco

This specimen is a good quality representation of a Reedops from Morocco. Minimal restoration and well prepared.

Reedops

Reedops is an extinct genus of trilobites that lived during the Devonian period. It belonged to the order Phacopida and is known for its well-developed, large, and highly convex compound eyes, as well as a smooth to slightly ornamented exoskeleton. Fossils of Reedops have been found in regions such as North Africa and Europe, providing important 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.