Trilobite Fossil on Matrix - Fossil skeleton - Trilobite Hollardops Mesocristata - 80 mm - 65 mm

This trilobite specimen belongs to the species Hollardops mesocristata, one of the fossil arthropods from the Middle Devonian (approximately 393–383 million years ago). Originating from fossil formations in Morocco, the specimen displays excellent preservation, with finely preserved anatomical details that enhance its scientific and collector value. Hollardops were trilobites of the Asteropyginae family, characterized by an elongated body, highly developed compound eyes, and a thorax composed of numerous thin, curved segments. This specimen clearly displays: The schizochroal compound eyes, composed of hundreds of perfectly preserved lenses, testifying to the extraordinary visual capacity of these marine arthropods; the well-developed cephalon, adorned with pronounced lateral genal spines, typical of the genus; and the progressive thinning of the thorax, composed of several segments, culminating in the sculpted and proportionate pygidium (tail). These characteristics allowed Hollardops to live on the seafloor as a predator or scavenger, using its keen eyesight to navigate and feed in the benthic environments of the Devonian. The fossil comes from the fossil regions of the Moroccan Anti-Atlas, an area that has yielded some of the most beautiful and well-preserved trilobites in the world. During the Devonian, these seas teemed with life, and the calcareous sediments allowed for detailed fossilization, which today offers scholars and collectors specimens of exceptional quality. In addition to its scientific interest, this specimen of Hollardops mesocristata stands out for its professional preparation, highlighting its three-dimensionality and anatomical detail. The excellent state of preservation of the eyes and genital spines makes it a high-quality specimen, perfect for advanced paleontological collections or for those seeking an authentic fragment of primordial life.

Species: Hollardops mesocristata
Age: Middle Devonian (about 393–383 million years ago)
Origin: Anti-Atlante, Morocco
Class: Trilobita
Family: Asteropyginae

A trilobite that embodies natural perfection and the memory of an ancient ocean: a specimen that combines paleontological rigor and great collector's appeal.