Color Pattern Trilobites

These specimens of Eldredgeops rana, Greenops gabraui, and Bellacartwrightia sp. trilobites from Cattaraugus County, New York are exceptionally rare as they exhibit amazing original color markings.  These color patterns present as non-random black, brown, white and purple dots.  Some initial speculation has been that these color patterns correspond directly to muscle attachments beneath the carapace, and perhaps other soft tissue anatomy.  However a more in depth report has suggested that these colored spots are original to the exoskeleton and are likely not diagenetic due to their linear arrangement on pleura and not on the axis.  Many of the patterns also have colored branches extending from them.  The spots are likely *melanophores, a sub-class of chromatophores found in animals which possess the ability to change color to match their surroundings, such as cephalopods and chameleons.

These trilobites and their unique preservation are limited to only a few small localities in South-Western New York State.  They are extremely rare, very difficult to prepare and in short supply.

*Melanophores are cells that contain pigment and light-reflecting cells found in arthropods and crustaceans, as well as many other animals. They are largely responsible for generating skin color.    
 
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THIS IS MOST LIKELY THE LAST OF THESE COLOR PATTERNED TRILOBITES THAT WILL BE FOUND AND AVAILABLE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE.. THE LAYERS THAT THESE WERE FOUND IN ARE ALL BUT GONE...  GET THEM WHILE I HAVE THEM!!

Due to the FLASH used during photographing these bugs.. they appear a bit lighter in color than they actually are..

 

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Name:  Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  Nice enrolled bug with good color pattern and great eye facets.  It measures approx. 18 mm wide and is buried in the matrix..

Color Marked Trilobite 26 - Price $95.00 

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Name:  Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  Nice loose "roller" that measures approx. 18 mm long. 

Color Marked Trilobite 30 - Price $145.00 

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Name:  Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  Nice partially enrolled specimen on matrix.. measures approx. 1.5 cm wide.

Color Marked Trilobite 32 - Price $115.00 

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Name:  Triple Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  Wow!  This is a beauty!!  The large Dorsal measures approx. 2.4 cm wide.. the smaller bug is a Ventral view...  very, very nice...

Color Marked Trilobite 3 - Price $425.00 

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Name:  Double Enrolled Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  Nice double roller.. the larger bug measures 2 cm wide.

Color Marked Trilobite 5 - Price $215.00 

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Name:  Enrolled Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  Specimen measures approx. 1.5 cm wide.

Color Marked Trilobite 6 - Price $205.00 

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Name:  Enrolled Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  Nice roller that measures approx. 1.8 cm wide.  The hypostome is present on this one!

Color Marked Trilobite 7 - Price $195.00 

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Name:  Enrolled Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  .

Color Marked Trilobite 9 - Price $145.00 

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Name:  Enrolled Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  Enrolled specimen with faint spots.. measures approx. 1.3 cm wide..

Color Marked Trilobite 13 - Price $215.00 

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Name:  Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  Enrolled specimen with faint spots.. measures approx. 1.9 cm wide..

Color Marked Trilobite 14 - Price $195.00 

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Name:  Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  This is a nice double roller.. both specimens are showing faint dots. The bigger roller measures 2cm long.  Nice association piece!

Color Marked Trilobite 17 - Price $175.00 

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Name:  Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  Color patterned roller-tried to enroll but a pyritized bryozoan is in his way-interesting specimen.

Color Marked Trilobite 18 - Price $125.00 

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Name:  Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  This nice specimen ins 3/4 enrolled.. It has nice colors and measures approx. 1.7 cm.

Color Marked Trilobite 19 - Price $185.00 

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Name:  Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  Nice roller on matrix with good colors.. measures approx. 1.9 cm wide.

Color Marked Trilobite 21 - Price $185.00 

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Name:  Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  Another larger roller with exposed color structures.. measures approx. 2.1 cm wide..

Color Marked Trilobite 22 - Price $115.00 

(Click Photo to Enlarge)

Name:  Eldredgeops
Geologic Age: Middle Devonian (375 Million Years Old)
 Stratigraphic detail:  Hamilton Group
 Location:  Cattaraugus County, New York
 Comments:  Nice Coiled lateral bug with a small coral laying against the bug.. This bug has nice spots on it's top side.  It measures approx. 1.6cm long.

Color Marked Trilobite 23 - Price $115.00