Diacalymene Trilobite Fossil Ordovician Morocco Kem Kem Basin Genuine Specimen with Certificate of Authenticity

Genuine Ordovician Trilobite Fossil from Morocco

Offered here is an authentic Diacalymene trilobite fossil from Morocco, dating to the Ordovician Period. This is a genuine prehistoric arthropod specimen, carefully selected for overall quality, clarity of form, and visual appeal. The photographs show the exact fossil you will receive, allowing you to clearly assess preservation and proportions, with full sizing details visible in the images.

This specimen is supplied with a lifetime Certificate of Authenticity, provided as a generic card, guaranteeing the fossil is genuine and responsibly sourced.

Geological Age and Paleoenvironment

Diacalymene lived during the Ordovician Period, approximately 485–444 million years ago, a time when life in the oceans underwent dramatic diversification known as the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event. During this era, large areas of what is now North Africa were submerged beneath warm, shallow seas that supported rich marine ecosystems.

The marine sediments that preserved this trilobite were deposited on the sea floor, where fine particles settled gently and rapidly buried organisms after death. These conditions were ideal for fossilisation, allowing durable exoskeletons such as trilobites to be preserved with remarkable clarity over hundreds of millions of years.

Fossil Type – Diacalymene Trilobite

Diacalymene is a well-known genus of trilobite belonging to the order Phacopida and the family Calymenidae. Trilobites were marine arthropods related to modern crustaceans and insects, characterised by their segmented bodies divided into three longitudinal lobes.

Diacalymene is particularly recognised for its ability to enroll tightly into a defensive ball, a behaviour used to protect its softer underside from predators. Many specimens are found partially or fully enrolled, a classic and highly desirable preservation style among collectors.

Morphology and Notable Features

This trilobite displays the characteristic features of Diacalymene, including a well-defined cephalon (head), segmented thorax, and pygidium (tail). The axial and pleural lobes are clearly visible, highlighting the trilobite’s distinctive three-lobed body plan. Surface textures and segment definition reflect the original calcified exoskeleton that once protected the living animal.

Such features not only enhance the fossil’s visual appeal but also provide valuable insight into early arthropod anatomy and evolutionary adaptation.

Scientific and Educational Significance

Trilobites are among the most important index fossils in paleontology, widely used to study early marine ecosystems and geological time periods. Diacalymene, in particular, is frequently referenced in educational collections due to its classic morphology and clear demonstration of trilobite segmentation and enrollment behavior.

This specimen makes an excellent teaching fossil for illustrating Ordovician marine life, arthropod evolution, and fossil preservation processes. It is equally well suited to private collections, display cabinets, or as a distinctive and educational gift.

Collecting and Display Value

Moroccan trilobites are highly regarded worldwide for their preservation and accessibility, making them popular with both new and experienced collectors. This Diacalymene fossil represents a genuine piece of early complex life on Earth, preserved through deep geological time.

The fossil has been left in a natural state, without artificial enhancement, ensuring it remains a true scientific specimen rather than a decorative reproduction. Supplied with a lifetime Certificate of Authenticity and showing the exact fossil you will receive, this Ordovician Diacalymene trilobite is a striking and meaningful addition to any fossil or natural history collection.