Trilobite Phacops

Species: Phacops sp.

Age: ~393-382 million years.

Period: Middle Devonian.

Origin: Atchana, Morocco.

Size: 8x4 cm

Description: The genus Phacops is one of the best known and most studied trilobites. These trilobites were characterized by having holochiral compound eyes (formed by large, separate lenses), which gave them excellent vision of their surroundings. Their morphology has been key to understanding the evolution of eyes in arthropods.