Duslia insignis, Ordovician; MAR
Extremely rare!
Currently: Arachnomorpha, order Cheloniellida
Duslia insignis was first identified in 1893 on the basis of specimens from the upper Ordovician of the Letná Formation in the Prague Basin in Bohemia. Originally they were classified as polyplacophorous molluscs, but later this species was recognized as an arthropod and assigned to the burlingid trilobites.
In the late 1980s, Chlupác considered Duslia to be a representative of the chelonielids, which are located between the "trilobitomorphs" and the chelicerates. Further studies argued for a phylogenetic link to the chelicerates (cf. Van Roy, 2006).
Over the years, several hundred specimens have been offered for sale, mainly from the Djebel Tijarfaïouine in the El Caïd Rami region of Morocco. These specimens show only minor compaction or deformation and are fully articulated. The original cuticula has been replaced by a thick mineralization that ranges in color from pink to reddish-brown. The digestive tract is often visible, as in this case.
The positive and negative impression of this specimen have been preserved.
It is unaltered, no color enhancement or retouching!
Age: Upper Ordovician, Sandbian;
Locality: Bou Nemrou, El Caïd Rami, Morocco
Size fossil: 10 x 7 cm; matrix: approx. 17 x 15 x 4 cm
Colors in product photos may differ from those of the original specimen for technical reasons.
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