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Few fossils are as fascinating as trilobites, an extinct order of arthropods common in marine rocks from the Cambrian to Permian geological periods, between about 542 and 251 million years old. Like other arthropods, trilobites had numerous segments which fell apart and scattered on death and decay. A completely articulated trilobite is a rare prize, and a thing of beauty. This is a selection of unusually complete specimens from the recently acquired Retallack collection.

Images © UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Production of this gallery was generously supported by The Ford Family Foundation.

Paradoxid

Paradoxid
Xystridura templetonensis
May Downs, Queensland, Beetle Creek Formation
Middle Cambrian (Stage 5) - Specimen #P4433C

Trinucleid

Trinucleid
Cryptolithus tesselatus
Swatara Gap, Pennsylvania, Martinsburg Formation
Late Ordovician (Katian) - Specimen #P6635A

Proetid

Proetid
Breviphillipsia sampsoni
Sedalia, Missouri, Chouteau Formation
Mississippian (Kinderhookian) - Specimen #P7008

Redlichiid

Redlichiid
Redlichia takooensis
Kangaroo Island, South Australia, Emu Bay Shale
Early Cambrian (Botomian) - Specimen #P9216B

Cheirurid

Cheirurid
Cromus optimus
Mandurama, New South Wales, Malongulli Formation
Late Ordovician (Sandbian) - Specimen #P9188A

Asaphid

Asaphid
Hoekaspis matacensis
Camargo, Bolivia, San Lucas Ocuri Formation
Middle Ordovician (Darrwillian) - Specimen #P8966
 

Ptychopariid

Ptychopariid
Tricrepicephalus texanus
Weeks Canyon, Utah, Weeks Formation
Late Cambrian (Paibian) - Specimen #P10414

Corynexochid

Corynexochid
Zacanthoides typicalis
Pioche, Nevada, Chisholm Shale
Middle Cambrian (Stage 5) - Specimen #P10064

Paradoxiid

Paradoxiid
Paradoxides gracilis
Jince, Czech Republic, Skryje Shale
Middle Cambrian (Drumian) - Specimen #P10663

Ollenellid

Ollenellid
Bristolia bristolensis
Cadiz, California, Latham Shale
Early Cambrian (Toyonian) - Specimen #P10867

Phacopid

Phacopid
Drotops megalomanicus
Fezzou, Morocco, Assize del Ansar
Middle Devonian (Eifelian) - Specimen #P11430

Ptychopariid

Ptychopariid
Proasaphiscus rigidus
Khatanga, Siberia, Suludynsky Svita
Middle Cambrian (Drumian) - Specimen #P12049

Ollenellid

Ollenellid
Olenellus gilberti
Cranbrook, British Columbia, Eager Formation
Early Cambrian (Toyonian) - Specimen #P12142

Agnostid

Agnostid
Lotagnostus asiaticus
Mt Patriarch, New Zealand, Patriarch Formation
Late cambrian (Paibian) - Specimen #P12708

Phacopid

Phacopid
Ductina vietnamica
Shaodong, China
Late Devonian (Famennian) - Specimen #P13330A

Dikelocepahalid

Dikelocepahalid
Pterocephalia norfordi
Tanglefoot Creek, British Columbia, McKay Group
Late Cambrian (Paibian) - Specimen #P13634

Odontopleurid

Odontopleurid
Sinespinaspis markhami
Forbes, New South Wales, Cotton Beds
Early Silurian (Llandoverian) - Specimen #P13639

Corynexochid

Corynexochid
Albertella helena
Fishtrap Lake, Montana, Gordon Shale
Middle Cambrian (Stage 5) - Specimen #P13726

Bathyurid

Bathyurid
Bathyurus extans
Pakenham, Ontario, Lowville Formation
Late Ordovician (Sandbian) - Specimen #P14621

Lichid

Lichid
Lobopyge haasi
Fezzou, Morocco, Assize del Ansar
Middle Devonian (Eifelian) - Specimen #P14590

Ceratopygid

Ceratopygid
Pseudoyuepingia whitei
Koonenberg Mountain, New South Wales, Watties Bore Formation
Late Cambrian (Paibian) - Specimen #P14746

Lichid

Lichid
Ceratarges armatus
Fezzou, Morocco, Assize del Ansar
Middle Devonian (Eifelian) - Specimen #P14828

Harpid

Harpid
Scotoharpes bohemicus
Fezzou, Morocco, Assize del Ansar
Middle Devonian (Eifelian) - Specimen #P14829

Odontopleurid

Odontopleurid
Selenopeltis buchi
Dra, Morocco, Ktaoura Formation
Late Ordovician (Katian) - Specimen #P15571

Ptychopariids

Ptychopariids
Elrathia kingi
Delta, Utah, Wheeler Shale
Middle Cambrian (Drumian)