Morphology and ontogeny of Trimerocephalus lelievrei nov. sp., first blind phacopid trilobite from the Famennian of North Africa

Abstract

Exceptionally rich and well preserved silicified exuvia comprising numerous late larval and early juvenile stages allow retracing detailed morphological and morphogenetical features of Trimerocephalus, a blind early Famennian phacopid. The materiel belongs to the new species lelievrei which is the first described representative of the genus in Africa. Its affinities with related species from Europe are established. Ontogenetic changes are similar to those of Phacops emphasizing close phyletic relationships between both genera.