Gerastos Fossil Trilobite Middle Devonian Issoumour Morocco Genuine Specimen with COA Ethically Prepared

Description

Authentic Gerastos Trilobite Fossil – Morocco

This listing is for a genuine Gerastos trilobite fossil from the Middle Devonian deposits of Issoumour, Morocco. The fossil shown in the photographs is the exact specimen you will receive, with a 1cm scale cube included for full size reference. Every fossil we sell is 100% authentic and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, ensuring its scientific value and collectible quality.

This Devonian trilobite has been expertly prepared by a skilled Moroccan specialist, whose years of experience in fossil collection and restoration bring out the fine details of each piece. The preparation process is carried out with care and precision, reflecting both craftsmanship and ethical responsibility. By purchasing this fossil, you are supporting fair and sustainable trade practices, ensuring that local preparers and their families benefit directly from their hard work and expertise.

Geological Context – Issoumour, Morocco

The Issoumour region of Morocco is world-renowned for producing some of the most beautifully preserved trilobite fossils on Earth. The Middle Devonian (approx. 393–383 million years ago) was a period of incredible marine biodiversity, often referred to as part of the “Age of Fishes.” During this time, Morocco was submerged beneath warm, shallow seas that were home to diverse marine life, including brachiopods, corals, cephalopods, and trilobites.

Fine-grained limestone deposits from this environment created exceptional conditions for fossilisation, preserving trilobites in three-dimensional detail. Issoumour trilobites are particularly admired for their completeness, clarity, and aesthetic quality, making them highly sought after by collectors worldwide.

The Trilobite – Gerastos

Gerastos is a genus of trilobite within the order Phacopida and the family Asteropygidae. These trilobites are small to medium in size and are characterised by their rounded cephalon (head shield), compact body form, and detailed exoskeleton ornamentation. Gerastos fossils are especially valued for their elegant shape and often display delicate surface features, such as fine ridges and nodules.

This trilobite lived in benthic marine environments, crawling along the seafloor in search of food. Like other members of its order, Gerastos possessed well-developed compound eyes, providing excellent vision for navigating Devonian seas filled with predators and competitors.

Morphological Features of the Fossil

The offered Gerastos specimen displays:

• Rounded cephalon with finely preserved details of the glabella and sutures.
• Distinct thoracic segments in full articulation, demonstrating natural curvature.
• Well-formed pygidium (tail piece) with fine segmentation.
• Compound eyes typical of phacopid trilobites, preserved with natural relief.
• Three-dimensional preservation, highlighted through expert Moroccan preparation.

These anatomical traits not only illustrate the evolutionary sophistication of trilobites but also enhance the visual beauty of the fossil as a display specimen.

Scientific and Collectible Importance

Gerastos trilobites represent an important lineage of Middle Devonian arthropods. Their fossils contribute to scientific understanding of trilobite diversity, morphology, and palaeoecology during a period of great evolutionary expansion in marine life. Issoumour fossils, in particular, have been critical to studies of Devonian trilobite species variation and development.

For collectors, a Gerastos trilobite is both an aesthetic and scientifically significant acquisition. Its elegant form and detailed preservation make it an excellent addition to any collection, whether private or educational. The careful and ethical preparation further enhances its value, ensuring that it is not only a piece of ancient history but also a product of sustainable and responsible fossil trade.

Key Details of this Specimen

• Species: Gerastos sp. (Phacopid Trilobite)
• Origin: Issoumour, Morocco
• Age: Middle Devonian (~393–383 million years ago)
• Fossil Type: Complete trilobite fossil
• Authenticity: 100% genuine specimen with Certificate of Authenticity
• Preparation: Expertly prepared by a trusted Moroccan specialist
• Exact Specimen: The fossil pictured is the one you will receive
• Sizing: Please refer to the photographs with 1cm scale cube for accurate dimensions

This authentic Gerastos trilobite fossil is a beautifully preserved piece of natural history, ethically prepared and scientifically valuable, making it a perfect addition for collectors and enthusiasts of the Devonian world.