Double Lonchodomas (Ampyx) Trilobite Plate - Morocco

This is a reddish colored, 2.2" long (including spines) Lonchodomas sp. trilobits from the Lower Ordovician deposits in the Zagora area of Morocco. The natural, orange/red coloration is caused by the oxidization of iron pyrite which originally preserved the trilobites. Lonchodomas, formerly Ampyx has a distinctive, elongated rostrum and sweeping genal spines, which may have both helped to deter predators as well as providing more surface around to keep it on top of the mud.

There are a couple of repaired cracks in the rock and both specimens are missing some shell on the spines, but they have not been restored.