BIGOTINOIDS - OLDEST TRILOBITES ON EARTH Rare Bigotinops (cf.) dangeardi with Soft Tissues – Souss Lagerstätte, Morocco | Lower Cambrian (521–515 Ma) | PAIS9574 * The designation (cf.) indicates close morphological similarity to Bigotinops dangeardi, based on key diagnostic features, while acknowledging minor uncertainties due to early ontogenetic stage — a standard practice in paleontological identification. This specimen was compared with the holotype and other specimens found by us. OUR GRADING FOR THIS SPECIMEN: 4/5 **** - Rarity; ontogeny; soft tissues. Incomplete cephalon and consolidated exoskeleton after being broken at quarry work - although fairly well-done. (Graded using our transparent 5-point system — see seller info for details.) This scientifically significant slab presents a rare window to one of Africa’s first and oldest Cambrian Lagerstätten. Why This Stands Out? • Rare soft-part preservation – one of the oldest specimens in Africa • Phosphatized left digestive tract clearly visible, from glabella to 4th thoraxic segment • Extreme rarity – only a few specimens of Bigotinops dangeardi ever found • Fully documented provenance • From the Tazemmourt Section – type locality of the Souss Lagerstätte • Museum-grade specimen at a fair reserve price Scientific Details Specimen ID: PAIS9574 Trilobite Size: 0.9 × 0.5 cm Matrix Size: 5.1 × 3 cm Weight: 9.1 g Species: Bigotinops dangeardi (Hupé, 1953) Family: Bigotinidae Superfamily: Ellipsocephaloidea Order: Ptychopariida Class: Trilobita Lithostratigraphy: Upper Amouslek Formation Age: Lower Cambrian (Series 2, Stage 3) – ca. 521–515 million years old Biostratigraphy: Eofallotaspis Zone, Issendalenian Locality: Tazemmourt Section, Northern slope of the Western Anti-Atlas, Morocco (Geyer et al., 2020a; Geyer & Landing, 2021) Collection Code: #PAIS9547 | Collected: September 2024 Upon request, we will provide the relevant scientific literature, including Geyer (2019), Geyer & Pais (2022), Geyer & Landing (2021) and others. Determination & Morphological Features This specimen shows key diagnostic traits consistent with Bigotinops dangeardi: • Immature, almost complete, inflated internal mould; • Cephalon typical of immature individuals: distinct plectrum in front of the glabella, palpebral lobes relatively short, posterior tips not reaching the posterior border furrow; • Complete thorax on axial, right and left lobes; • Observable pygidium; • Frontal lobe narrower than those behind, giving the glabella an acute aspect; • Interocular areas similar to a slightly extended quarter segment of a circle; • Conspicuous pleurae with evident, well-preserved pleural spines; axial furrows less evident, likely due to preservation; • Anterior border more or less evenly curved; • Ovoid body outline. The Tazemmourt Section & the Souss Lagerstätte – Africa’s Cambrian Fossil Treasure: The Tazemmourt Section is composed of lower Cambrian strata (Igoudine and Amouslek formations) and is the type locality for numerous trilobite species, many of which were first described here. It is the epicenter of the Souss Lagerstätte – the first Cambrian fossil lagerstätte known from Africa (Geyer et al., 2020a; Geyer & Landing, 2021). Recent work has revealed that several horizons in the Daguinaspis Zone (Amouslek Formation) preserve animal remains with exceptional soft-part preservation, including muscles, appendages, and phosphatized digestive tracts. This Konservat-Lagerstätte-type preservation is exceptionally rare and provides a unique window into early arthropod anatomy. The fossil sequence at Tazemmourt forms the basis for biostratigraphic subdivisions in the West Gondwana paleocontinent and is globally significant. Fossils from this site are held in international museum collections and continue to reshape our understanding of the Cambrian explosion. This specimen was collected at this world-renowned geotope and represents a scientifically significant piece of evolutionary history. High-resolution pictures available at (copy-paste): https://link.mediterranic.com/Bigotinoids Questions? We’re happy to help. Contact us for additional photos, details, or scientific references. Check free papers and other exceptional fossils at www.mediterranic.com Check our feedback at https://link.mediterranic.com/reviews Shipping Worldwide registered shipping with a tracking number. For more on Cambrian fossils and our full collection, visit: www.mediterranic.com | www.fezouata.com | www.cambrian521.com