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Trilobites
Click here for more Trilobite Pictures
| Scientific Classification |
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Trilobites are an extinct group of arthropods (the same phylum
that contains insects, spiders, crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters,
centipedes, millipedes, etc.). They first appeared in the early Cambrian
period about 530 million years ago, were largely wiped out during the
late Devonian mass extinction about 364 million years ago, and finally
went completely extinct during the Permian-Triassic
mass extinction that took place 248 million years ago.
Trilobites are one of the most well-known
fossil groups,
and highly diverse, and are found in many different locations.
Over 17,000 species are known from
fossils,
which are usually just of the animal's exoskeleton, although
occasionally soft bodies are also found in
fossils.
The fact that Trilobites are so widespread and diverse, and that
they evolved rapidly over time, often allows their use as
"index fossils" - that is to say that rocks can be dated
based on the particular type of Trilobites found within them.
During life, all Trilobites are believed to have been exclusively marine
organisms, although they do appear to have led many different lifestyles.
Trilobites lived in both shallow and deep water, and although most lived
in the seas, there is some evidence
(such as trace fossils) that some species may have been able to live in
freshwater.
Various different types of
Trilobites are believed to have been swimming plankton feeders,
predators, scavengers, and in some cases, to have even got their food
from symbiotic sulfur-eating bacteria.
One final interesting fact about Trilobites is that they are not thought to have been able to cross deep oceans.
Thus, the presence of two distinct types of Trilobites (as well two distinct types of
Graptolites) of
Trilobites in the rocks of Europe
and North America is suggestive that an ocean (known as the "Iapetus Ocean") once divided
the two continents.
The Iapetus Ocean is thought to have closed-up again when all the continents joined
together in the super-continent of Pangaea - when a new ocean (the Atlantic Ocean), separating
Europe and North America,
did subsequently form when Pangaea broke up, it did so along
a different line of separation.
Trilobites were arthropods that lived in the seas between 530 and 248 million years ago
Related Information & Resources
See Also
Trilobite Books
Here are some books from Amazon.com:
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By Riccardo Levi-Setti
University of Chicago Press
Released: May 21st, 2014
Hardcover (288 pages)
 | List Price: $45.00*
Lowest New Price: $33.56*
In Stock.*
*(As of 08:53 Pacific 10 Jul 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
The Trilobite Book: A Visual Journey- Manufacturer: University of Chicago Press
- Brand: University of Chicago Press
- ISBN: 022612441X
- EAN: 9780226124414
- PartNumber: 43171-597525
Details:- Hardcover
- Number of Pages: 288
- Author: Riccardo Levi-Setti
- Publication Date: May 21st, 2014
- Release Date: May 21st, 2014
Physical Description:- Size: 10.0 Inches by 8.0 Inches by 1.1 Inches
- Weight: 2.7 Pounds
Features:- University of Chicago Press
Click here for more information |
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By Steve Vanlandingham
White Dog Press
Released: October 5th, 2017
Hardcover (52 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $19.95*
In Stock.*
*(As of 08:53 Pacific 10 Jul 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Good Night, Trilobite- Manufacturer: White Dog Press
- ISBN: 1935684590
- EAN: 9781935684596
Details:- Hardcover
- Edition: First
- Number of Pages: 52
- Author: Steve Vanlandingham
- Publication Date: October 5th, 2017
- Release Date: October 5th, 2017
Physical Description:- Size: 10.25 Inches by 8.25 Inches by 0.5 Inches
Click here for more information |
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By Jasper Burns
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Released: January 1st, 2000
Paperback (102 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $12.99*
Usually ships within 3 days.*
*(As of 08:53 Pacific 10 Jul 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Trilobites: Common Trilobites of North America (A NatureGuide Book)- Manufacturer: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
- ISBN: 1478357940
- EAN: 9781478357940
- PartNumber: black & white illustrations
Details:- Paperback
- Number of Pages: 102
- Author: Jasper Burns
- Publication Date: January 1st, 2000
- Release Date: January 1st, 2000
Physical Description:- Size: 8.5 Inches by 5.5 Inches by 0.23 Inches
- Weight: 0.28 Pounds
Click here for more information |
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By Richard Fortey
Alfred A. Knopf
Released: October 31st, 2000
Hardcover (302 pages)
 | List Price: $26.00*
Lowest Used Price: $4.48*
In Stock.*
*(As of 08:53 Pacific 10 Jul 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Trilobite!: Eyewitness to Evolution- Manufacturer: Alfred A. Knopf
- Brand: Alfred A. Knopf
- ISBN: 0375406255
- EAN: 9780375406256
Details:- Hardcover
- Edition: 1st
- Number of Pages: 302
- Author: Richard Fortey
- Publication Date: October 31st, 2000
- Release Date: October 31st, 2000
Physical Description:- Size: 8.66 Inches by 6.01 Inches by 1.09 Inches
- Weight: 1.2 Pounds
Click here for more information |
|
By Riccardo Levi-Setti
University Of Chicago Press
Released: October 15th, 1993
Hardcover (352 pages)
 | List Price: $55.00*
Lowest Used Price: $18.00*
In Stock.*
*(As of 08:53 Pacific 10 Jul 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Trilobites- Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
- ISBN: 0226474518
- EAN: 9780226474519
Details:- Hardcover
- Edition: Second
- Number of Pages: 352
- Author: Riccardo Levi-Setti
- Publication Date: October 15th, 1993
- Release Date: October 15th, 1993
Physical Description:- Size: 9.75 Inches by 9.0 Inches by 1.0 Inches
- Weight: 2.68082110592 Pounds
Click here for more information |
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By Lola M. Schaefer
Richard C. Owen Publishing
Released: July 1st, 2001
Paperback (12 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $6.00*
In Stock.*
*(As of 08:53 Pacific 10 Jul 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Trilobites (Books for Young Learners)- Manufacturer: Richard C. Owen Publishing
- ISBN: 1572742593
- EAN: 9781572742598
Details:- Paperback
- Number of Pages: 12
- Author: Lola M. Schaefer
- Publication Date: July 1st, 2001
- Release Date: July 1st, 2001
Physical Description:- Size: 7.0 Inches by 7.75 Inches by 1.25 Inches
- Weight: 0.1 Pounds
Click here for more information |
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