Thysanopeltis in rich-red color

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A usual moroccan trilobite as found: nothing to see from the outside

A usual moroccan trilobite as found:
nothing to see from the outside

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Opening the stone, one can easily see the cross-section of the trilobite

Opening the stone, one can easily see
the cross-section of the trilobite

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After glueing the pieces together, cephalon (front) and pygidium (back) were initially exposed

After glueing the pieces together,
cephalon (front) and pygidium (back)
were initially exposed

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The pleuraes were prepared step-by-step

The pleuraes were prepared step-by-step

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The final result after 17 hours of careful preparation

The final result after 17 hours of careful preparation

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The locality of Hamar-Laghdad yields a lot of well preserved trilobites with a unique red shell. Thysanopeltis are very rare, so being able to prepare this well preserved specimen was a great pleasure for me. 

The shell of trilobites found in this locality has a glass-like, fragile upper layer, which is easily damaged. Gentle sand blasting therefore is necessary. 

Fossil: Thysanopeltis speciosa austromaura (?)

Locality: Hamar Laghdad (Morocco)

Formation: Devonian

Length of the trilobite: 3.6 cm

Work required: 14 hours