Description Bigotina n. sp. C (Geyer & Pais, in prep.) #9629 COMPLETE ADULT EXTERNAL MOULD WITH DORSAL AND VENTRAL PARTS - EXTREMELY RARE (!) Cambrian Souss Lagerstätte. Northern slope of the Western Anti-Atlas Mountains, Morocco. Restoration details: No restoration. The dorsal part was prepared to display the librigenae and the pygidium. Dimensions : Total Sagittal Length (TL): 8.5 mm (Complete from the anterior border to the micropygeous pygidium). Maximum Observed Width: 7.0 mm (Measured from the asymmetrical left margin to the tip of the preserved right genal spine). Calculated Adult Width (TW): 9.0 mm (Reconstructed width factoring in the taphonomic absence of the missing genal spine). Morphological Proportion: The adult profile is slightly wider than long (~1:1.05 ratio), highlighting a unique evolutionary trend toward a naturally miniaturized, hydrodynamically stable body plan. Weight: 226 g (part and counterpart of the matrix). Locality: Tazemmourt Section, Northern slope of the Western Anti-Atlas, Morocco. Identification and Taxonomy: Species: Bigotina n. sp. C (undescribed); Family: Bigotinidae; Superfamily: Ellipsocephaloidea; Order: Ptychopariida; Class: Trilobita. The systematics and identification of this clade and specimens are complex and explained below. Lithostratigraphy: Tiout Member of the Igoudine Formation (Lower Cambrian, Series 2, Stage 3). Biostratigraphy: Eofallotaspis Zone of the Issendalenian. Age: Cambrian, Early Paleozoic Era. 521-515 million years old. Collection: PAIS 9629; Collected April 2026. Discussion about the systematics and identification of the specimens (Geyer & Pais, in prep.): "Bigotinids belong to the earliest and least understood trilobite families. Their early occurrence “out of the nowhere” in the Moroccan Anti-Atlas (and in Siberia!) is one of the biggest trilobite puzzles." Very few specimens (8 in 7 plates) of this new species have been found since 2019. Nevertheless, they are obviously a new taxa, as: a) They lack either a plectrum (as in Bigotinops sp.), either a subacute front ant anterior border with distinct "kink" on the sagittal axis (as in Hupetina antiqua); b) They present a short glabella - not as in Bigotina kelleri (Geyer 2019), Bigotina monningeri (Geyer 2019) and in Bigotina sp. A and Bigotina sp. B (both undescribed but already identified in Geyer 2019); c) All specimens found till date show distinctively: - Elliptical bodies; - Short glabella; - Minute adults sizes and - Maximun size of 9 mm and ~1:1 ratio (length/width) They are very probably a unique species from the Tazemmourt section (named by now as Bigotina sp. C, Pais & Geyer, in. prep.). This specimen is by far the most detailed one till date and the first one were the presence of tiny genal spines have been proved, as the right librigenea is present on the dorsal part of the mould and clearly imprinted on its ventral part, with extreme detail. On this specimen: Cephalon Glabella & Furrows: Highly elevated, convex, and broadly subconical with a bulbous anterior lobe. The lateral glabellar furrows (S1, S2, S3) are deeply incised and heavily iron-stained, outlining primitive segmentation. Anterior Boundary: The anterior border furrow is deeply defined and exhibits the key generic trait: it remains completely uniform in depth and width across its entire course, showing no lateral shallowing. The anterior border rim is smooth and evenly curved without any sagittal kink. It lacks a plectrum. Ventral Elements: The underside displays a wide, crescentic cephalic doublure with a cleanly preserved micro-granular surface texture. One robust micro-pleural/genal spine is fully preserved on the ventral margin. Thorax & Pygidium Thorax: Composed of 14 fully articulated thoracic segments. The axial ring chain forms an elevated central column that tapers uniformly backward. Every thoracic segment features deep pleural grooves terminating in short, sharply pointed micro-pleural spines directed posterolaterally. Pygidium: Strictly micropygeous. Reduced to a minute, button-like terminal plate seamlessly fused directly behind the 14th thoracic segment. For detailed information consult the Mediterranic website - mediterranic.com > The Cambrian Souss-Lagerstätte > Trilobites > Family Bigotinidae. Description (main features): Top grade plate of a rare species. Excelent collector item. Complete adult external exoskeleton mould, dorsal and ventral parts. A more than rare fossil record. In general, the specimen is very well preserved, showing almost all the key structures of the species. Cmplete and fully iron-oxidated (golden colour) specimen of this species. Cephalon is typical of adult individuals: Frontal lobe slightly narrower, giving the whole glabella an acute aspect; Interocular areas similar to a slightly extended quarter-segment of a circle; Elliptical body. Visible pygidium. Complete thorax on right and left lobes. Very conspicuous pleurae with evident well-preserved pleural spines. Well-marked axial furrows. A very well-preserved specimen on its whole. Authenticity & Preparation 100% natural – no sculping, no painting, no shadowing, no composite additions. No restoration — the specimen is presented exactly as collected; the matrix was prepared to expose the dorsal part of the mould in full. Perfect for serious collectors and museums seeking a scientifically significant, display-ready Cambrian fossil assemblage. It is representative from the only known trilobite-bearing Lagerstätte in Africa and deserves a place in any institutional or private collection. Consult this and more about the Souss-Lagerstätte specimens at our website. 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