Elrathia kingii - Protospongia sp.
Vendor: Gold Bugs
SKU Number: SQ0182517
A rare association of an Elrathia trilobite with a very rare stack of sponge spicules from Protospongia sp. Preserved in vivid red.
Protospongia are rare and represented by just a few examples with their tell-tale radial spine-like spicules. This is a rare association from the sought after Middle Cambrian, Wheeler Shale Formation in Utah.
Full dimensions are listed below.
Vendor: Gold Bugs
SKU Number: SQ0182517
A rare association of an Elrathia trilobite with a very rare stack of sponge spicules from Protospongia sp. Preserved in vivid red.
Protospongia are rare and represented by just a few examples with their tell-tale radial spine-like spicules. This is a rare association from the sought after Middle Cambrian, Wheeler Shale Formation in Utah.
Full dimensions are listed below.
Vendor: Gold Bugs
SKU Number: SQ0182517
A rare association of an Elrathia trilobite with a very rare stack of sponge spicules from Protospongia sp. Preserved in vivid red.
Protospongia are rare and represented by just a few examples with their tell-tale radial spine-like spicules. This is a rare association from the sought after Middle Cambrian, Wheeler Shale Formation in Utah.
Full dimensions are listed below.
Additional Information
Elrathia kingii is one of the most common trilobites of the Middle Cambrian, wheeler Shale formation in Utah. Its more familiar form is a compressed dark gray mineralized carapace on a mid to dark gray shale. However, the Wheeler Shale has many facies including calcareous shale, shaley limestone, mudstone and thin, flaggy limestone that create amazingly colorful contrasts of reds, yellows, browns and greens.
The rock color combinations are caused by a variety of minerals, including iron and organic carbon. The color of sedimentary rocks reflect the depositional environments, including oxygen levels, organic matter, sedimentation rate, etc. Color is also influenced by transition metals such as iron, magnesium, copper, zinc, titanium and many others. E. kingii is a medium-sized trilobite with a smooth sub-ovate carapace that is tapered towards the rear. Thorax is usually 13 segments. Pygidium has four axial rings and a long terminal piece. Posterior margin of the pygidium has a long broad medial notch.
Protospongia is a sponge with long spicules. It is a member of the phylum Porifera. Protospongia is known from the Middle Cambrian of the Burgess Shale, British Columbia, and more recently Utah. Spicules are structural elements found in most sponges. Sponge spicules are made of calcium carbonate or silica. Large spicules visible to the naked eye are referred to as megascleres, while smaller, microscopic ones are termed microscleres. The meshing of many spicules serves as the sponge's skeleton and thus it provides structural support and potentially defense against predators. The composition, size, and shape of spicules are major characters in sponge systematics and taxonomy.
