Trilobites are a well-known fossil group of extinct marine arthropods, one of the earliest known groups of arthropods. First appearing in the fossil record in the Early Cambrian period (526 million years ago), they flourished throughout the lower Paleozoic era before beginning a drawn-out decline to extinction when, during the Devonian Period, almost all trilobite orders died out before finally disappearing in the mass extinction at the end of the Permian Period, about 250 million years ago. Trilobites were among the most successful of all early animals, roaming the oceans for over 270 million years. Offered here is a complete 7.25" long example of a Psychopyge elegans trilobite. This fossil dates to the Devonian Period (419.2–358.9 million years ago) and was unearthed in the Atlas Mountain Range of Southern Morocco. The long shovel-like rostrum protruding from the front of the fossil is immediately distinctive (it has been theorized its use was for scooping up food). The numerous spines are nicely presented, w/one spine behind the creature's head being nearly free-standing, w/the natural stone matrix still in place as a support. The lower half of this trilobite has separated from the rest of the body during fossilization, but remains in draped/bent position creature assumed upon its death. Specimen has a few near invisible hairlines to the natural stone matrix, w/some of these hairlines crossing the fossil, though these have received professional museum grade restoration (as is the norm in paleontology) and still make for a wonderful display, given specimen has a flat bottom for upright display. From the Robert M. Overstreet Collection and comes with COA.