Soft part Preservation in Trilobites and their Sister Groups
19th December 2007

Here is a small selection of trilobites and their sister groups, showing exceptional preservation of their non-mineralized parts.

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A Lower Cambrian Chengjiang Eoredlichia intermedia, 28 mm, showing preserved antennae.
A Lower Cambrian Chengjiang Eoredlichia intermedia, 28 mm, showing preserved antennae.
 Detail of antennae.
Detail of antennae.
 Balcoracania dailyi (Pocock 1970). 12mm trilobite. Lower Cambrian. Soft body preservation of the trilobite’s gut is clearly in evidence. These occur in one locality only, from the Cape D’Estaing Formation, Emu Bay, South Australia.
Balcoracania dailyi (Pocock 1970). 12mm trilobite. Lower Cambrian. Soft body preservation of the trilobite’s gut is clearly in evidence. These occur in one locality only, from the Cape D’Estaing Formation, Emu Bay, South Australia.
 B.dailyi detail.
B.dailyi detail.
Naraoia spinosa 15 mm with antennae emerging laterally from the cephalon. This is the most common Naraoid from Chengjiang, but preservation of antennae is not often seen.
Naraoia spinosa 15 mm with antennae emerging laterally from the cephalon. This is the most common Naraoid from Chengjiang, but preservation of antennae is not often seen.
 Misszhouia longicaudata, 6 cm long, showing details of limb gill branches. Maotianshan, Yuxi, Chiangjang County, Yunnan, China.
Misszhouia longicaudata, 6 cm long, showing details of limb gill branches. Maotianshan, Yuxi, Chiangjang County, Yunnan, China.
 Cindarella eucalla, 65 mm, a wonderfully preserved xandarellid from the Lower Cambrian of Chengjiang, China.
Cindarella eucalla, 65 mm, a wonderfully preserved xandarellid from the Lower Cambrian of Chengjiang, China.
 Xandarella spectaculum. 65 mm, an exceptional complete individual from Mafang
Xandarella spectaculum. 65 mm, an exceptional complete individual from Mafang
Naroia compacta, a complete 23 mm soft bodied trilobite, Marjum Formation, Middle Cambrian, Millard County, Utah. The complex branching gut diverticulae are beautifully displayed as are soft body preservation, including gut and limbs, seen through the thin carapace.
Naroia compacta, a complete 23 mm soft bodied trilobite, Marjum Formation, Middle Cambrian, Millard County, Utah. The complex branching gut diverticulae are beautifully displayed as are soft body preservation, including gut and limbs, seen through the thin carapace.
Selenocoryphe platyura. Peters 2003. 36 mm in ventral view showing preserved gut and mid gut diverticulae. Weeks Formation. Utah, USA.
Selenocoryphe platyura. Peters 2003. 36 mm in ventral view showing preserved gut and mid gut diverticulae. Weeks Formation. Utah, USA.
Detail.
Detail.
 Cedaria minor. 12 mm long showing preservation of the gut, Upper Cambrian, Weeks Formation, Millard County, Utah.
Cedaria minor. 12 mm long showing preservation of the gut, Upper Cambrian, Weeks Formation, Millard County, Utah.
22 mm complete Triarthrus eatoni with very fine preservation of limbs and antennae. Whetstone Gulf Formation, (younger than Utica Shale Group), Ashgill , Upper Ordovician, near Martinsburg, New York State. Markus Martin preparation.
22 mm complete Triarthrus eatoni with very fine preservation of limbs and antennae. Whetstone Gulf Formation, (younger than Utica Shale Group), Ashgill , Upper Ordovician, near Martinsburg, New York State. Markus Martin preparation.
 Paired exopod and endopod.
Paired exopod and endopod.
 Note very fine spines projecting from antenna.
Note very fine spines projecting from antenna.
 A wonderfully complete 43 mm specimen of the trilobite Asteropyge sp with antennae and walking limbs (telepodites or endopods) clearly exposed. Lower Devonian, Hunsruck Slate, Bundenbach, Germany.
A wonderfully complete 43 mm specimen of the trilobite Asteropyge sp with antennae and walking limbs (telepodites or endopods) clearly exposed. Lower Devonian, Hunsruck Slate, Bundenbach, Germany.
Another image of the Asteropyge.
Another image of the Asteropyge.
 Again very fine spines projecting from antenna.
Again very fine spines projecting from antenna.
 Detail of limbs with terminal claws.
Detail of limbs with terminal claws.
 Claw detail.
Claw detail.
A flawlessly complete 55 mm specimen of the trilobite Chotecops ferdinandi with antennae and walking limbs (telepodites or endopods) clearly exposed. Lower Devonian, Hunsruck Slate, Bundenbach, Germany.
A flawlessly complete 55 mm specimen of the trilobite Chotecops ferdinandi with antennae and walking limbs (telepodites or endopods) clearly exposed. Lower Devonian, Hunsruck Slate, Bundenbach, Germany.
 Detail of limbs.
Detail of limbs.
 Claw detail.
Claw detail.
 Gill filaments of exopod.
Gill filaments of exopod.
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