Fossil trilobite

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Fossil trilobite

Fossil trilobite preserved in siltstone, from the Burgess Shale area. Trilobites are arthropods that lived in the sea during the Cambrian Era more than 300 million years ago. A fossil is created when an animal is quickly buried in sand, mud or volcanic ash after death, and the normal decay processes do not occur. The minerals of the hard parts of the animal, such as shell or bone, are gradually replaced with rock. The trilobite has a head (or cephalon, top), segmented thorax (centre) and a tail (or pygidium, bottom). All trilobites have three lobes which run from head to tail. This specimen is from the Mount Stephen trilobite beds (Ogygopsis shale) in British Columbia, Canada

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Media ID 6372341

© ALAN SIRULNIKOFF/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

British Columbia Cambrian Canada Canadian Field Fossil Invertebrate Fossilization Fossils Lobe Lobed Lobes Mineral Minerals Paleozoic Rock Segmented Shell Shelled Slab Thorax Trilobite Burgess Cephalon Mount Stephen Palaeontology Pygidium Siltstone

EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases a remarkable fossil trilobite, perfectly preserved in siltstone from the renowned Burgess Shale area. Trilobites, fascinating arthropods that thrived in the ancient seas during the Cambrian Era over 300 million years ago, are brought to life through this stunning image. Fossils like these come into existence when an animal is swiftly buried in sand, mud, or volcanic ash after its demise. In such circumstances, normal decay processes are halted and instead replaced by a gradual transformation of the creature's hard parts with rock minerals. This particular trilobite specimen hails from the Mount Stephen trilobite beds (Ogygopsis shale) nestled within Canada's picturesque British Columbia. The intricate details of this ancient marine dweller are clearly visible: its head (cephalon), segmented thorax at the center, and tail (pygidium) at the bottom. All trilobites possess three distinct lobes running along their bodies from head to tail. The significance of this find lies not only in its scientific value but also in its ability to transport us back millions of years to a time when these enigmatic creatures roamed Earth's oceans. Immerse yourself in paleontological wonders as you explore this exceptional photograph capturing nature's artistry frozen in time—a testament to our planet's rich history and evolution.

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