-Main -Menu -- ![]() Introduction Glossary of terms Geological Time Major Features Site Map Morphology: Dorsal Morphology Ventral Morphology Internal Anatomy Major Features Facial Sutures Hypostome Cephalon Thorax Pygidium Special Terms Trilobite Eyes Prosopon Abnormalities Glossary of terms Classification: Arthropods Trilobite Origins Trilobite Orders Key to the Orders Evolutionary trends Pictorial Guides Trilobite Families Trilobite Genera ICZN Business Paleobiology: Ecology Trace Fossils Feeding Habits Paleogeography Biostratigraphy Trilobite Localities Reproduction Ontogeny Molting Enrollment Extinction Miscellaneous: Trilobite FAQ Trilobite Quiz Trilobite Links Trilobite Photos Trilobite.Preparation Drawing Trilobites Trilobite.Imposters Selected References Trilobite books Trilobite folio Site Accolades Help
me maintain this website with a donation of any size: ... Thank you! Many thanks to: Aaron Miller for graciously hosting the www.trilobites.info domain since April 2008 | A website devoted to understanding trilobites created and maintained by Sam Gon III
SEARCH THIS WEBSITE ![]() . Brachyhipposiderus antiquatus Zhu 2005 Sandu Fm., U. Cambrian (Furongian) Guole, SW Guangxi Prov., China Image courtesy of Marc R. Hänsel The Trilobite of the Month for February 2019 is classified as a primitive member of Order Harpetida from the Late Cambrian. It was a time when many of the more advanced trilobites were beginning to distinguish themselves from the primitive Redlichida and Ptychopariida, so we can sometimes see intriguing characteristics that suggest the affinities of the different orders. This complete specimen of Brachyhipposiderus, for example has a thorax and pygidium that is rather reminiscent of trinucleids, and its cephalic shape is also reminiscent of the trinucleid fringe, lacking the well-developed tall genal prolongations of advanced harpetids. Images like this help explain why trilobites are one of the best-known and appreciated groups of prehistoric animals. Each month, a new example of trilobite diversity will be showcased here. With over 20,000 described species, we may never exhaust the possibilities! If you have a stunning image of a trilobite that you could share as a future "Trilobite of the Month," please let me know!
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Sheets ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | Click
on the images, menu choices, or the FAQ
listings below on this page to start exploring aspects of trilobite biology, and the salient characters that define the orders, constituent suborders, and superfamilies. This site has enjoyed feedback from a growing number of trilobite workers from all over the world who have generously offered their suggestions and corrections. I gratefully acknowledge their help and encouragement. This website protected by copyright ©1999 - 2018 by S. M. Gon III The Trilobite FAQ Use the links on the right to answer the Qs on the left
SEARCH THIS WEBSITE THIS SITE OPTIMIZED FOR VIEWING AT 1024 X 768 RESOLUTION In these pages, you may recognize species that are common, well-known, or sitting in a familiar museum collection! This guide might help you arrange trilobite diversity systematically, aid in identification of specimens, and enhance your understanding of these fascinating elements of Paleozoic biodiversity. Happy browsing! -- Sam Gon III |
![]() Asaphus kowalewski Order Asaphida | SOURCES: The information in these pages was developed via examination and synthesis of the data present in a variety of works, including the two "Trilobite Treatises:" Moore 1959 (Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part O, Arthropoda 1, including Trilobitomorpha) and Whittington et al 1997 (Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part O, Arthropoda 1, Trilobita, Revised, Volume 1: Introduction). Both may be reviewed here. Other important sources are cited in specific pages of this site, and are also listed in a brief bibliography. Sources of photos and line drawings (where not original) are clearly cited. Other trilobite web sites and individuals were inspirational sources and are cited where relevant. The three trilobite thumbnail images in the left column, for example, are c/o Andrew Milner. If you find your information or images on these pages without proper attribution, this is unintentional. Please contact me to rectify the situation. |
![]() Elrathia kingi Order Ptychopariida | CAVEATS: Information about extinct animals is always subject to interpretation and differences of opinion. In particular, the higher classification of arthropods and trilobites is neither simple nor agreed upon by all trilobite workers. The summaries here are complicated by the fact that the 1997 revision of the Treatise only covers two orders in detail: Agnostida and Redlichiida. The others are in preparation, so my attempts to synthesize data on the other orders is likely to be incomplete, although the arrangement of the families and some characteristic descriptions were provided by Fortey (in Whittington et al 1997), and adjusted via recent articles (e.g., papers dealing with higher classification of the Asaphida, Proetida, Harpetida, Agnostida, and Lichida). Additional revisions continue to be suggested by various workers. Any errors in the information here should be attributed to the compiler, Sam Gon III. Please inform him of any problems in accuracy or interpretation. |
![]() Sthenarocalymene celebra Order Phacopida | ABOUT
THE AUTHOR: This site's pages (and the majority of its figures) were designed and created by Dr. Sam Gon III, a biologist (PhD, Animal Behavior; MA, Zoology (Ecology, Behavior and Evolution) who is greatly intrigued by the expression of ancient biodiversity that trilobites represent. Sam's professional work is in the conservation of global biodiversity today. He serves as the Senior Scientist for The Nature Conservancy's Hawai‘i Field Office in Honolulu. Sam has long been interested in paleobiology, and in teaching himself about trilobites, using hyperlinks to cross-reference terminology and concepts, found himself developing a web resource of potential interest to a broader audience. The site was first unveiled in August 1999 and has attracted feedback from around the world, generating ongoing updates. For all the accolades this site has gathered, Sam is not a professional trilobitologist, but a devoted trilobitophile! In 2006 this culminated in his first paleontological publication, dealing with trilobite origins. Dr. Sam Gon III c/o The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i, 923 Nuuanu Avenue, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA |
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