Travels with Trilobites: Adventures in the Paleozoic

"Trilobites hold the distinction of being among the world's first dominant forms of complex animal life, arthropods that rank second only to the hallowed dinosaur in terms of their paleontological appeal. These bizarrely beautiful three-lobed creatures initially appeared in the seas more than 520 million years ago, emerging when the oceans had become ripe for the blossoming of biodiversity. These Paleozoic inhabitants would populate the planet's marine ecosystems for the next 270 million years. During that span, trilobites generated more than 25,000 scientifically recognized species - a fact that places these creatures among the most successful animal classes ever to exist on our world. There are a few examples that due to either their unique combinationof rarity, beauty, or the noteworthy role they've played in paleontological history, stand head and shoulders (or perhaps we should say glabella and occipital lobe) above all others. From pristine examples of relatively common trilo-types to one-of-a-kind treasures, the book will feature hundreds of high-resolution photographs of an amazing array of the most incredible specimens of trilobites collected from localities around the globe, including specimens that have never before been seen outside of private collections. Travels with Trilobites explains the varying orders of trilobites, locations around the world where their fossils are found and the time periods those fossils can be dated to, and myriad other points of interest: the first trilobites, the uniqueness of trilobite eyes, trilobite eggs, feeding behavior, behind-the-scenes stories from the fossil collecting world, and more"--
Trilobites were some of the most successful and versatile organisms ever to exist. Among the earliest forms of complex animal life, these hard-shelled marine invertebrates inhabited the primal seas of the Paleozoic Era. Their march through evolutionary time began in the Lower Cambrian, some 521 million years ago, and lasted until their demise at the end of the Permian, more than 250 million years later. During this vast stretch of planetary history, these adaptable animals filled virtually every available undersea niche, evolving into more than 25,000 scientifically recognized species.In Travels with Trilobites, Andy Secher invites readers to come along in search of the fossilized remains of these ancient arthropods. He explores breathtaking paleontological hot spots around the world—including Alnif, Morocco, on the edge of the Sahara Desert; the Sakha Republic, deep in the Siberian wilderness; and Kangaroo Island, off the coast of South Australia—and offers a behind-the-scenes look at museums, fossil shows, and life on the collectors’ circuit. The book features hundreds of photographs of unique specimens drawn from Secher’s private collection, showcasing stunning fossil finds that highlight the diversity, complexity, and beauty of trilobites. Entertaining and informative, Travels with Trilobites combines key scientific information about these captivating creatures with wry, colorful observations and inside stories from one of the world’s most prolific collectors.
In Travels with Trilobites, Andy Secher invites readers to come along in search of the fossilized remains of ancient arthropods. The book features hundreds of photographs of unique specimens drawn from Secher’s private collection, showcasing stunning fossil finds that highlight the diversity, complexity, and beauty of trilobites.