Elrathia kingi Trilobite Fossil from Wheeler Shale Utah USA Middle Cambrian House Range COA

Description

Beautiful Elrathia kingi Trilobite – Wheeler Shale, Middle Cambrian

This outstanding Elrathia kingi trilobite fossil originates from the renowned Wheeler Shale Formation of the House Range, Antelope Springs, Millard County, Utah, USA. Known worldwide as one of the most iconic and accessible trilobite species, Elrathia kingi is prized by collectors, students, and enthusiasts for its excellent preservation, clear anatomical detail, and strong scientific significance. The specimen offered here is a carefully selected, genuine fossil, and the photographs show the exact piece you will receive. Every fossil comes with a Certificate of Authenticity for complete confidence in your purchase.

Geological Context – The Famous Wheeler Shale

The Wheeler Shale was deposited approximately 507 million years ago, during the Middle Cambrian, a pivotal time in Earth’s history when marine life diversified dramatically following the Cambrian Explosion. This formation is composed of extremely fine-grained shale layers that accumulated in a deep, calm marine environment. The low-oxygen conditions at the seafloor inhibited scavenging and decay, allowing trilobites and soft-bodied organisms to be preserved in remarkable detail.

This locality is globally acclaimed for producing an abundance of high-quality trilobites along with rare soft-tissue fossils, making it one of the most scientifically important fossil-bearing deposits in North America. Each Elrathia fossil captures a moment from an ancient sea that flourished half a billion years ago.

Species Overview – Elrathia kingi

Elrathia kingi is part of the order Ptychopariida, a diverse group of Cambrian trilobites known for their well-defined axial lobes and beautifully segmented thoraxes. This species is particularly famous for its striking symmetry, streamlined profile, and consistently excellent preservation.

Key morphological traits visible on many specimens include:

• Broad, gently rounded cephalon with defined glabella
• Distinct, rib-like thoracic segments, typically fourteen in number
• Tapered pygidium with clean margins and proportional axial features
• Smooth exoskeleton that takes preservation exceptionally well
• Highly recognisable silhouette, making it one of the most easily identified trilobites

Due to its abundance and excellent preservation within the Wheeler Shale, Elrathia kingi has become an important reference species for studying Cambrian trilobite anatomy, ecology, and evolution.

Locality – House Range, Antelope Springs, Utah

The House Range is among the most celebrated fossil localities in the world, frequently studied by palaeontologists and visited by collectors. Antelope Springs, in particular, is renowned for producing beautifully preserved trilobites surrounded by fine, dark shale that contrasts attractively with the fossilised exoskeleton.

This region has contributed significantly to scientific research on Cambrian ecosystems, offering rare insights into ancient marine environments, sedimentary processes, and community diversity. Fossils from this locality are treasured by museums, academic institutions, and private collectors alike.

Your Authentic Fossil Specimen

• Species: Elrathia kingi
• Formation: Wheeler Shale
• Age: Middle Cambrian
• Locality: House Range, Antelope Springs, Millard County, Utah, USA
• Authenticity: Always 100% genuine with a Certificate of Authenticity
• Condition: Carefully chosen specimen with clear anatomical definition
• Sizing: Full measurements shown in the listing photographs
• Exact Fossil Shown: You will receive the precise specimen pictured

This Elrathia kingi fossil is an ideal display piece for collectors, educators, or anyone captivated by Earth’s earliest complex marine life. Its scientific importance, clarity of preservation, and elegant natural form make it a timeless addition to any fossil collection.