submit urlsubmit rss feedadd directory

article

Trilobites are extinct arthropods in the class Trilobita. They appeared in the Cambrian period and flourished throughout the lower Paleozoic era before slowly declining to extinction. The last of the trilobites disappeared in the mass extinction at the end of the Permian 250 million years ago (m.y.a.).

Trilobites are very well-known, and possibly the second-most famous fossil group after the dinosaurs. They are the most diverse group of animal species preserved in the fossil record, consisting of nine (or possibly ten) orders and over 15,000 species.

Most were simple, small marine creatures that filtered mud to obtain food.

Physical description


SamGonIII_3lobes.png The bodies of trilobites are divided into three parts (tagmata): a cephalon (head), composed of the two preoral and first four postoral segments completely fused together; a thorax composed of freely articulating segments; and a pygidium (tail) composed of the last few segments fused together with the telson. In the most primitive trilobites the pygidia are still fairly rudimentary. The thorax is fairly flexible—fossilised trilobites are often found curled up like modern woodlice for protection.

More on [ Trilobite ]


directory of related categories

 
directory of related topics

Paleozoic :: By Geological Interval
Permian Triassic :: Extinction

 
Trilobites RSS feed
Trilobites - Twitter Search

The most awesome end-of-the-year top 10: From swarms of ginormous trilobites to Ida-the-over-hyped-ancient-lemur, N... http://bit.ly/64pIl7
alanmullally (Alan Mullally) Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:03:33 -0000
The most awesome end-of-the-year top 10: From swarms of ginormous trilobites to Ida-the-over-hyped-ancient-lemur, N... http://bit.ly/64pIl7
@JillElswick yeah. and trilobites in the ocean - and apatosaurs, in the congo. Hey, I'm getting a germ for a novel...
tony_mcfadden (tony mcfadden) Thu, 24 Dec 2009 04:17:14 -0000
@JillElswick yeah. and trilobites in the ocean - and apatosaurs, in the congo. Hey, I'm getting a germ for a novel...
That crazy creationist site says trilobites still exist. This shit makes me depressed: http://bit.ly/rCDz
jillelswick (Jill Elswick) Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:44:56 -0000
That crazy creationist site says trilobites still exist. This shit makes me depressed: http://bit.ly/rCDz
"Interesting" The most awesome end-of-the-year top 10 - From swarms of ginormous trilobites to Ida-the-over-hyped-a... http://ow.ly/16cPH0
realtorcoleen (Coleen Brown ) Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:29:26 -0000
"Interesting" The most awesome end-of-the-year top 10 - From swarms of ginormous trilobites to Ida-the-over-hyped-a... http://ow.ly/16cPH0
The most awesome end-of-the-year top 10 - From swarms of ginormous trilobites to Ida-the-over-hyped-ancient-lemur, ... http://ow.ly/16cPBx
jacksm55 (Jack SM) Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:26:06 -0000
The most awesome end-of-the-year top 10 - From swarms of ginormous trilobites to Ida-the-over-hyped-ancient-lemur, ... http://ow.ly/16cPBx
The most awesome end-of-the-year top 10 - From swarms of ginormous trilobites to Ida-the-over-hyped-ancient-lemur, ... http://ow.ly/16cPBw
bobworks1 (Bob Works) Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:26:06 -0000
The most awesome end-of-the-year top 10 - From swarms of ginormous trilobites to Ida-the-over-hyped-ancient-lemur, ... http://ow.ly/16cPBw

 
Subscribe to Trilobites RSS feed

directory of related sites

404 Guide to the Orders of Trilobites - Excellent resource for understanding trilobites, with pictures, diagrams, a glossary, and links.

404 Among My Trilobites - Photographs of a personal trilobite collection with maps of the Paleozoic eras they came from highlighting the areas where they lived.

Cincinnatian Trilobites - Information about trilobites from the Upper Ordovician Period Cincinnatian Seiries of Eastern North America. Includes images and links.
Meta Description: [ Welcome to Cincipaleo. Please enjoy images of Cincinnatian trilobites and other specimen. ]

Introduction to the Trilobita - UCMP Berkeley introduction to the trilobite fossil record, ecology, systematics and morphology.

404 Mr.B.Bug's Trilobite World - An entertaining and informative approach to the subject of trilobites and trilobite fossils, with animated graphics and audio.

500 Palaeontology - Research - What are Trilobites? - A short intro to trilobites, courtesy of the Australian Museum Online.
Meta Description: [ Trilobites are an extinct group of arthropods (jointed-legged animals) known from more than 10,000 fossil species. The group Trilobita existed from early in the Cambrian Period (525 million years ago) until the end of the Permian Period (250 million years ago). ]

Per Hansson's trilobite gallery - Swedish trilobites.
Meta Description: [ Per Hanssonīs Trilobite Gallery. Here is a catalouge of my trilobites from Sweden.trilobite, trilobites, trilobiter, trilobit, trilobiti, fossil ]

The Semi-Compleat Trilobite - A page of trilobites with images broken down by time period.

Trilobites - Photographs of trilobites that can be found in Millard County, Utah.
Meta Description: [ A Rock hounds paradise is Millard County, Utah ]

Trilobites - Photos of trilobites from around the world, as well as a searchable database of over 280 specimens.

Trilobites - Utah Geological Survey - Trilobites and the Cambrian Environment of Utah, an essay by Rebecca L. Hylland.
Meta Description: [ The Utah Geological Survey investigates and reports on Utah's geologic hazards, mineral, energy, water, and paleontological resources, maps the state's geology, and provides geologic and topographic information. ]

404 Trilobites and their Evolution Through Time - Trilobite evolution, morphology and extinction. Includes information on the use of trilobites as paleoenvironmental and stratigraphic tools.
Meta Description: [ Document not found ]

404 Virtual Wonders: Trilobites - The Natural History Museum's online exhibit of several bizarre trilobite taxa from Morocco, including three dimensional views of new specimens.

Weeks formation and Indiana Trilobites - Images of and information about a personal collection of well-preserved trilobites found in Indiana and the Weeks Formation of Millard County, Utah and Indiana.

Trilobites related videos
Dry Dredgers Beginners class lectures on Ordovician Fossils
Next Video
Trilobites related videos

 

HOMEADVERTISINGABOUT US

articlesartsbusinesscomputersgameshealthhospitalshomekids & teensnewsmobilephysiciansrecreationreferenceregionalscienceshoppingsocietysportsworld


Submit a Site About Become an Editor