Trilobites are extinct arthropods from the Palaeozoic Era, that lived in prehistoric oceans between 540 to 245 million years ago. Their closest living relative is the horseshoe crab.
This trilobite, Dalmanites myops, is from a famous British fossil locality, the Much Wenlock Limestone Formation, Dudley in the West Midlands, and is beautifully preserved in limestone. Over 400 million years ago it was part of a diverse reef community, living in warm, shallow seas. This Dalmanites specimen is actually a montage of two specimens of the same species; although all the parts are genuine a tail from another individual has been attached to the head and body. Such composites are not uncommon from the Dudley area. Copyright (c) 1996 The Natural History Museum
This Dalmanites specimen is actually a montage of two specimens of the same species; although all the parts are genuine a tail from another individual has been attached to the head and body. Such composites are not uncommon from the Dudley area.
Copyright (c) 1996 The Natural History Museum
