Extremely Rare Comptonaspis swallowi Mississippian Trilobite


Name: Comptonaspis swallowi

Trilobites, Trilobite Order Proetida, Superfamily Proetoidea, Family Proetidae

Geologic Time: Lower Mississippian - Kinderhookian Stage

Size: 18 mm

Fossil Site: Chouteau Formation, Saline County, Missouri


This is a fine prone example of a member of the Order Proetida, Family Proetidae called Comptonaspis swallowi. Coming from the Kinderhookian Stage (359-348 m.y.a) deposits of Saline County, Missouri, this trilobite is a member of the last surviving order of trilobites, the Proetida. It is found in these same deposits with another rare trilobite, Breviphillipsia sampsoni, but is found at only 10% the frequency of that taxon. It is distinguished in part from that taxon by its smooth exoskeleton.

click trilobite pictures to enlarge


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