The Appendages, Anatomy, and Relationships of TrilobitesRaymond, Percy E. (Percy Edward)
Science
The Appendages, Anatomy, and Relationships of Trilobites
Raymond, Percy E. (Percy Edward)
Trilobites
Illustrated: Walcott, Smithson. Misc. Coll., vol. 57, 1912, pl. 45,
fig. 2;--Zittel-Eastman Text-book of Paleontology, vol. 1, 1913,
fig. 1377;--Smithson. Misc. Coll., vol. 67, 1918, pl. 18, fig. 1;
pl. 20, fig. 1.
This is one of the most important of the specimens, as it shows the
coxopodites of three thoracic limbs and the well preserved endopodites
of six thoracic and five pairs of pygidial appendages.
The appendages are all shifted to the left till the articular socket
of the coxopodite is about 8 mm. outside of its proper position. The
endopodites extend a corresponding amount beyond the edge of the
dorsal test and are there so flattened that they are revealed as a
mere impression. The coxopodites, which are beneath the test, seem to
have been somewhat protected by it, and while hopelessly crushed, are
not flattened, but rather conformed to the ridges and grooves of the
thorax.
[Illustration: Fig. 2. _Neolenus serratus_ (Rominger). A sketch of the
coxopodites and endopodites of two thoracic segments. Note notch for
the reception of the lower end of the appendifer. × 3.]
The coxopodite of the appendage of the last thoracic segment is best
preserved. It is rectangular, about one third as wide as long, with a
slight notch in the posterior margin near the outer end. The inner end
is obliquely truncated and shows about ten sharp spines which do not
appear to be articulated to the segment, but rather to be direct
outgrowths from it. There are similar spines along the posterior
margin, but only two or three of what was probably once a continuous
series are now preserved. On the opposite margin of the coxopodite
from the slight depression mentioned above, there is a slight
convexity in the outline, which is better shown and explained by the
coxopodite just in front of this. That basal segment has the same form
as the one just described, but as its posterior margin is for the
greater part of its length pushed under the one behind it, the spines
are not shown. On the posterior margin, two-thirds of the length from
the proximal end, there is a shallow notch, and corresponding to it, a
bulge on the anterior side. From analogy with Ceraurus and _Calymene_
it becomes plain that the notch and bulge represent the position of
the socket where the coxopodite articulated with the appendifer. Since
these structures have not been shown in previous illustrations, a
drawing giving my interpretation of them is here inserted (fig. 2).
It is evident from the position of the notch that the row of spines
was on the dorsal (inner) side of the coxopodite and that the
truncation was obliquely downward and outward.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account