After the ammonite, trilobites must be most commonly known and collected fossils. The trilobite is part of an extinct group of arthropods that lived in the sea over 350 million years ago. Trilobites existed during the Palaeozoic era from the lower Cambrian until the late Permian periods. They have no modern forms-95% of all marine life became extinct in the Permian extinction event, though they are closely related to crustaceans such as lobsters and crabs. In appearance the nearest living equivalent is probably the wood louse or pill bug, though this is obviously no relative however distant. The segmented body is however rather reminiscent of the trilobite. The name trilobite derives from the fact that the body of a trilobite can be divided in length three ways into two outer lobes and the central lobe. Trilobites had compound eyes like many crustaceans and insects do today and in fact the eyes of the trilobite are the most ancient visual perception system known. Like woodlice trilobites had the ability to roll up tucking their tails underneath them for protection and indeed some have been found fossilised in this state. There were many thousands of species of trilobites and most are about 2 to 10 cm in length but a few species grew to nearly 1 m in length.
Trilobites are favourite fossil for collectors easily available in common forms although some varieties are rare and consequently much sought-after. Have a look to see what is currently available to buy below:
 |
 CUTE TRILOBITE METACANTHINA STNAD ROCK FOSSILS  £10.83
|
 ENORMOUS CAMBRIAN ANDALUCIANA TRILOBITE FROM MOROCCO £38.00
|
 CAMBROPALLAS TRILOBITE 500 MILLION YEARS OLD 28CM £24.50
|
 a group of WUTINGASPISTrilobite fossil from Chengjiang £28.17
|
 Lovely Pair of BRITISH TRILOBITES Parabolina spinulosa £125.00
|
 British UK TRILOBITE Ogygiocarella debuchi SHROPSHIRE £5.50
|
Related fossils for sale posts:
- Fossils For Sale News July 2009 This is a new type of post from us,...