Furious Fossil Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 I have a project for school, and I need to identify the fossil in the photo using the internet. I guessed that it was a trilobite, because it is visually similar to the ones I looked at online, and I wanted to make sure. I would also like to know: what are some tips for identifying fossils? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBrewer Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Certainly is. John Map of UK fossil sites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fossildude19 Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 This looks like a trilobite pygidium, specifically from a Pseudogygites latimarginus. Tim - VETERAN SHALE SPLITTER VFOTM - APRIL - 2015 __________________________________________________ "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks." John Muir ~ ~ ~ ~ ><))))( *> About Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBrewer Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 https://amazingzoology.com/anatomy-of-trilobites/ John Map of UK fossil sites Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miocene_Mason Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 This is a trilobite pygidium, Pseudogygites latimarginatus. Edit: Oops, fossildude beat me to it. “...whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been and are being evolved.” ~ Charles Darwin Happy hunting, Mason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miocene_Mason Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 8 minutes ago, Furious Fossil said: would also like to know: what are some tips for identifying fossils? Find the age of the location and look through online resources and ask those who are Knowledgeable on them. Eventually you will get to know how to differentiate fossils. Practice makes perfect. Learn the differences between larger groups so you can get into specifics later. “...whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been and are being evolved.” ~ Charles Darwin Happy hunting, Mason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DevonianDigger Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Yup. I agree with everyone else. Jay A. Wollin Lead Fossil Educator - Penn Dixie Fossil Park and Nature Reserve Hamburg, New York, USA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Furious Fossil Posted February 24, 2018 Author Share Posted February 24, 2018 Thanks for all the responses, as well as the links. I looked at John Brewer's link: https://amazingzoology.com/anatomy-of-trilobites/ and I was wondering if the thorax is also partially visible, not only the pygidium. --------------- The edges of the trilobite in my original photo are very round and smooth, unlike the diagram with three labels on it in the link above (jagged edges). Does this mean anything when identifying the trilobite? Thanks, Furious Fossil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockwood Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 10 minutes ago, Furious Fossil said: I was wondering if the thorax is also partially visible, not only the pygidium. The other pieces appear to be of a cephalon. It is likely a molted exoskeleton. The shape that one of the pygidiums is sort of pointing at looks like one of the sutures that splits open in the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 1 hour ago, Furious Fossil said: Thanks for all the responses, as well as the links. I looked at John Brewer's link: https://amazingzoology.com/anatomy-of-trilobites/ and I was wondering if the thorax is also partially visible, not only the pygidium. --------------- The edges of the trilobite in my original photo are very round and smooth, unlike the diagram with three labels on it in the link above (jagged edges). Does this mean anything when identifying the trilobite? Thanks, Furious Fossil Trilobites are exceptionally diverse, having undergone several changes and branchings in their 291 million years. The edges of the pygidium in your specimen are a perfect match for this species of trilobite. Here is what the full specimen of Pseudogygites latimarginatus would look like whole (image from Ludvigsen, Fossils of Ontario): ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kane Posted February 24, 2018 Share Posted February 24, 2018 Additionally, a wonderful online reference on trilobites created and maintained by Sam Gon III: http://trilobites.info/ ...How to Philosophize with a Hammer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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