Flexicalymene

Flexicalymene (formally known as diacalymene) are an extinct species of trilobite which lived during the Ordovician period, 449 to 443 million years ago. They represent the typical trilobite which one would expect, with their bodies being composed of three parts, the head (cephalon), main body, (thorax) and tail (pygidium), hence the name. As with most trilobites, they lacked any form of offensive defence and instead relied upon their hard bodies to protect them, it is believed that when under threat, they may have also enrolled into a ball like shape (similar to todays woodlouse’s) or buried themselves in the sea floor sediment. The morphological features of trilobites, particularly the legs and mouth located on the underside of the animals body indicate that the animal was most likely a scavenger and bottom feeder, feeding on the falling organic matter which lands on the sea floor. Their eyes were located on the top of their heads and are believed to have allowed the animal to keep a look out for potential predators. These particular specimens come from Erfoud, Morocco and are available in various optional sizes and come in a card tray with a label.