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
[Illustration: Fig. 4. _Neolenus serratus_ (Rominger). One of the
so-called epipodites of specimen 65515, showing that it has the same
outline as an exopodite (compare figure 3) and fragments of setæ on
the margin. × 3.]
The anterior edge of the shaft shows a narrow stiffening ridge and the
setæ are but little longer than its greatest width. The second segment
of the pygidium has another exopodite like this one, but shows faintly
the line between the two lobes, as though there were two segments.
This specimen also shows some very well preserved endopodites, but
they differ in no way from those described from specimen No. 58589.
Walcott mentions two large epipodites projecting from beneath the
exopodites. I judge that he has reference to the distal lobes of the
exopodites, but as these are continuous with the main shaft, there can
be no other interpretation of them than that which I have given above.
_Measurements:_ The pygidium is 19 mm. long (without the spines) and
about 34 mm. wide at the front. The exopodites show faintly beneath
the pygidial shield, but their proximal ends are too indistinct to
allow accurate measurement. Apparently they were just about long
enough to reach to the margin of the shield. The best preserved one,
that of the second segment in the pygidium, is about 11 mm. long, 2.5
mm. wide at the widest; the distal lobe is 2.5 mm. long, and the
longest setæ of the main lobe 3.5 mm. long. The pleural lobe of the
pygidium is just 11 mm. wide at this point.
The endopodites project from 8 to 12 mm. beyond the pygidium, showing
about four segments.
The thoracic exopodite described above is 11 mm. long and 2.75 mm.
wide at the widest part. The distal lobe is 3.5 mm. long and 2.25 mm.
wide, and the longest setæ on the main lobe 3 mm. long.
Specimen No. 65519.
Illustrated: Walcott, Zittel-Eastman Text-book of Paleontology,
vol. 1, 1913, fig. 1343;--Smithson. Misc. Coll., vol. 67, 1918,
pl. 21, fig. 6.
This specimen is somewhat difficult to study but is very valuable as
showing the natural position of the exopodites of the anterior part of
the thorax. Walcott's figures are excellent and show the broad
leaf-like shafts, the distal lobes with the re-entrant angles in the
posterior margin, and the long fine setæ of the main lobes. None of
the distal lobes retains its setæ. All extend back to the dorsal
furrows, but the proximal ends are not actually shown.
The specimen is especially important because it shows the same distal
lobes as specimen No. 65514, and demonstrates that they are a part of
the exopodite and not of any other structure.
_Measurements:_ The exopodite belonging to the fourth thoracic segment
is 23 mm. long and 4 mm. wide at the widest part. The longest setæ are
7 mm. in length.
Specimen No. 65520.
Illustrated: Walcott, Smithson. Misc. Coll., vol. 67, 1918, pl. 20,
fig. 2; pl. 22, fig. 1.
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