Flexicalymene Trilobites

Flexicalymene Fossil
Whole

We seem to have a lot of these little guys around here in southeast Minnesota. 🙂

So I thought I would do a post on them for me, and you.

Artist’s rendition of live trilobites.

Two things you want to remember with trilobites;

1. They are gregarious, so if you find one you will probably find more.

2. They shed their exoskeletons in order to grow. Hence you will find a lot of parts and few wholes.

Flexicalymene Anatomy

Pygidium = tail

Cephalon = head

Thorax = body

Enrolled, flat or somewhere in between.

I am trying to get somewhat organized and

am thinking my Flexicalymene pictures can go here. 😀

A nice 3D image of the Flexicalymene pygidium.

 So then I asked if anyone thought the whole critter was in there since it is in a dive position.

Here is TFF trilobite expert Piranha’s answer:

“The rest of the trilobite could be in the matrix but unfortunately not attached to its pygidium.  The evidence is the preserved articulating fulcral (fulcrum) process that would be hidden under the last thoracic (fulcrate) segment if the trilobite was a complete individual.  The fulcra functioned as a guide articulating the thorax and pygidium for locomotion and enrollment.”

A flattened (normally how they are found) Flexicalymene pygidium.

Flexicalymene lying on its side.

Flexicalymene cephalon

 When you do a search on Sam Gon’s site, it takes you HERE.

Much too intense for me, but I thought I would save you a step in case you’re into trilobites. 🙂