The creature is from the Middle Cambrian Period (French: Cambrien moyen) and was found in British Columbia, Canada. I think the label says it was found on Mount Stephen or maybe it means Stephen Formation. See this web page on the Peabody Museum of Natural History at Yale University on the trilobite specimen they have. Theirs is from the Burgess Shale if I read that right.
The book, Life in Stone: A Natural History of British Columbia's Fossils by Rolf Ludvigsen, talks about this trilobite in the chapter The Trilobite Beds of Mount Stephen on page 61. He mentions that Charles Walcott in 1908 found so many of this species in the trilobite beds that he named the unit 'Ogygopsis Shales'. The trilobite reached of size of 12 cm so it was easy to spot and collect. As a result, many museums and universities worldwide obtained specimens. I am guessing the one in this picture was one of them. The author goes on to say that this trilobite became somewhat of an archetype of Cambrian trilobites even though it is rarely found elsewhere in the world. Learn more at this web link to the book.
I don't know if my earlier post got through so I am repeating it. Since my last name is Klotz I would love to own an Ogygopsis klotzi. Can yo tell me where I might be able to get one? Also who is it named after? Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteMorton Klotz
maklotz@comcast.net
That fossil was found in the Burgess Shale and I do not think the Canadian government allows collectors there unless they are doing scientific research.
ReplyDeleteAs for the name, the fossil was named by the famous German paleontologist Carl Rominger. In the late 1800s a Dominion surveyor named Otto Klotz sent him a fossil collection from Mount Stephen, Canada. Mr. Klotz was surveying the routes for the Canadian Pacific Railroad so he lots of exposure to geological wonders of that part of the world.
I assume out of gratitude to Mr. Klotz that Dr. Rominger named the trilobite species after him.