This trilobite is not only a beautiful fossil for any collection, but also tells a magnificent story: During its lifetime, this Thysanopeltis was injured on the pygidium, presumably by a predator, but survived the attack. The posterior margin of the pygidium bears no spines and has a thickened, rounded seam – a clear sign of healing. So the trilobite shed its skin a few times and was able to live on until a second, fatal attack occurred. This time the left side of the trilobite was attacked. A large part of the pygidium and most of the left librigena are missing. Apart from that the trilobite is articulated and the left eye is also preserved. Healed injuries especially to pygidia are relatively common in scutellids, but the association with a fatal injury makes this piece a very special fossil.

The preparation of this trilobite was well manageable due to the relatively soft rock and a predominantly good separation between rock and shell. However, the shell is not very well preserved at some parts and very fragile, which is why the trilobite had to be exposed very carefully and slowly from the rock. 

Fossil: Thysanopeltis speciosa austromaura ALBERTI 1981 (?)

Locality: Jbel Tejahkt, Morocco

Formation: Devonian, Eifelian

Length of the trilobite: 3.7 cm (1.45 inches)

Work required: 11 hours