2.7" Trident" Walliserops Trilobite - Exceptional Preparation

This is an exceptionally prepared specimen of Walliserops from Morocco. The work was done by one of the very best preparators in the world leaving the shell free of damage from air abrasion. Check out the pristine eye facets in both eyes. It has no restoration and dozens of free-standing spines.

Based on the rock this does not appear to come from any of the usual Walliserops localities, though I'm not sure which locality is was collected from. The fork also appears smaller than Walliserops trifurcatus, so it may represent a different species.

Walliserops is one of the weirdest, and most visually stunning species of trilobite, Walliserops trifurcatus. There is some debate about the purpose of the trident shaped appendage or rostrum coming off the front of it's head but it's likely it could have either had sensory purposes or have been used to stir up the mud while looking for food.