British Trilobite Ogyginus Fossil Ordovician Llanvirn Series Wales Genuine Specimen with Stand

Overview

This authentic British Trilobite (Ogyginus) Fossil with Stand is a beautifully preserved specimen from the Llanvirn Series of the Ordovician Period, discovered at the Upper Gilwern Quarry, Wales, United Kingdom. It dates back over 460 million years, when the region that is now Wales lay beneath warm, shallow tropical seas. This fossil offers a remarkable glimpse into early Paleozoic marine life and is both scientifically important and visually striking.

Your specimen was discovered by our team members Alister and Alison on 02 April 2024, and has been cleaned, prepped, and treated by Alison to professional standards to ensure stability and clarity of preservation. The photo shows the exact fossil you will receive, with a 1cm scale cube for reference. As with all our specimens, it is 100% genuine and comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Geological and Palaeontological Context

The Upper Gilwern Quarry is a classic fossil locality within the Llanvirn Series of the Ordovician System, dating to around 465–460 million years ago. These rocks were deposited in a marine shelf environment that covered much of what is now central Wales. The area was part of the ancient microcontinent Avalonia, positioned near the southern tropics during the Ordovician, surrounded by the warm, nutrient-rich waters of the Iapetus Ocean.

The strata consist primarily of fine-grained mudstones and siltstones, deposited under low-energy conditions ideal for preserving delicate fossils. The Llanvirn Series represents a time of flourishing marine biodiversity, with trilobites, graptolites, brachiopods, and echinoderms all abundant within the sediments. Ogyginus fossils are particularly significant because they serve as biostratigraphic index fossils, helping geologists correlate rock layers across different Ordovician localities in the UK.

Taxonomy and Morphological Features

The genus Ogyginus belongs to the Order Asaphida, Superfamily Asaphoidea, and Family Asaphidae. It was one of the dominant trilobite groups of the Ordovician seas. These arthropods were benthic organisms, living on or near the seafloor, where they likely fed on organic detritus or microorganisms within the sediment.

This specimen exhibits the characteristic morphology of Ogyginus trilobites, including:

• A broad, gently convex cephalon (head shield) with smooth glabellar lobes.

• Segmented thoracic regions displaying the classic three-lobed structure (a central axial lobe and two pleural lobes) from which the name trilobite is derived.

• Faintly preserved pygidium (tail shield) showing evidence of the fine segmentation typical of this genus.

These features indicate a streamlined form, likely adapted for life on soft marine substrates. Ogyginus trilobites were not swimmers but crawlers, using jointed legs beneath their exoskeleton to move across the seabed. Their hard calcitic shells protected them from predators such as nautiloids and other arthropods.

Scientific Importance

Ogyginus trilobites are among the best-known Ordovician fossils in Britain and have been extensively studied since the early 19th century. Their abundance and distinct features make them key markers for understanding the Llanvirn biostratigraphy. Specimens from Upper Gilwern Quarry contribute to research on the evolutionary radiation of trilobites during the Great Ordovician Biodiversification Event (GOBE)—a period when marine life diversified dramatically following earlier extinctions.

The Ordovician seas of Wales were biologically rich and dynamic, hosting complex ecosystems that would lay the foundation for later Paleozoic marine evolution. Trilobites like Ogyginus played a major role in these early marine food webs, acting as both prey and scavengers within benthic communities.

Display and Presentation

This British Trilobite (Ogyginus) Fossil has been professionally cleaned and mounted on a display stand, ideal for collectors, educators, and fossil enthusiasts. The fossil’s subtle texture and intricate anatomical detail are beautifully complemented by the fine-grained Welsh matrix in which it rests.

Each specimen is ethically sourced, professionally prepared, and scientifically identified, ensuring both authenticity and preservation quality. Your purchase includes a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its geological origin, age, and identification.

This fossil is not only a rare piece of British Ordovician history, but also a tangible link to one of the most fascinating chapters in Earth’s early evolution. A stunning example of Ogyginus trilobite preservation from Upper Gilwern Quarry, it represents the enduring legacy of life from ancient Welsh seas—now beautifully preserved for you to own and display.