- Dicranurus
-
Dicranurus
Temporal range: Devonian
Dicranurus monstrosus Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Trilobita Order: Lichida
Moore, 1959Family: Odontopleuridae Genus: Dicranurus species - D. hamatus
- D. elegans
- D. monstrosus
Dicranurus ("Twin head-tail") was a genus of Lower Devonian lichid trilobites that lived in a shallow sea that lay between Euramerica and Gondwanaland, corresponding to modern-day Oklahoma and Morocco, respectively. As such, their fossils are found in Oklahoma and Morocco.
Dicranurus monstrosus fossil
Their bodies averaged about 1-inch (25 mm) or so, in length, though their large spines made them at least 2 inches (51 mm) in length. It is speculated that such tremendous spines hampered the ability of predators, such as arthrodire placoderms, to attack them, as well as to help prevent them from sinking into the soft mud of their environment. Dicranurus trilobites are distinguished from other lichids by the pair of large, curled, horn-like spines that emanate from behind the glabellum. The genus name refers to these distinctive horns, in fact.
External links
- Description of Haragan Formation, Oklahoma [1]
- Fossil Mall's description of D. elegans [2]
- Fossil Mall's description of D. hamatus [3]
- Fossil Museum's description of D. monstrosus [4]
Categories:- Trilobites
- Devonian animals
- Trilobite stubs
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