HEMIRHODON amplypyge is a Cambrian trilobite that is roughly oval shaped, and it is very broad and flat. The Cephalon or head section is roughly semi-circular. The cephalon and pygidium are, again, broad and flat.
The axial lobe is thinner than the pleural lobes. It has a large glabella that is slightly furrowed. The glabella is also inflated at the front. The thorax is composed of between seven and eight segments.
HEMIRHODON amplypyge grew to around 5 inches long. This trilobite can be found in the House Range of mountains in Millard County, Utah.
DID YOU KNOW: Trilobites, an extinct form of arthropod related to insects, crabs, crayfish, and horseshoe crabs, are among the most prevalent invertebrates with hard body parts to appear during the Cambrian Period. These creatures are called trilobite due to the three distinct “lobes” running vertically through the body section.
About the columnist: Joseph “PaleoJoe” Kchodl is a paleontologist, educator, veteran, author, fossil dig organizer/guide, business owner, husband, father, and grandfather, and fossil fanatic. For decades, he’s spent hours in classrooms around the Midwestern United States and beyond, speaking to school children about fossils and fossil hunting. Visit his site to purchase fossils, contact PaleoJoe, visit www.paleojoe.com.
Plus, learn more about PaleoJoe and his daughter PaleoJen and their paleontology exploration partnership in an the article “Fueling a Passion for Paleontology“.
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