Illaenus crassicauda is a species of trilobites belonging to the family Illaenidae. These trilobites lived in the middle Ordovician and in the Silurian age (443 - 418 million years ago). Fossils of this species have been found in the sediments of Sweden and Russia.[1][2]

Illaenus crassicauda
Temporal range: Middle Ordovician
Fossil of Illaenus crassicauda from Sweden, on display at Galerie de paléontologie et d'anatomie comparée in Paris
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Trilobita
Order: Corynexochida
Family: Illaenidae
Genus: Illaenus
Species:
I. crassicauda
Binomial name
Illaenus crassicauda
Wahlenberg 1826

Etymology

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The Latin species name crassicauda means "fat-tailed", with reference to the shape of the pygidium.

Description

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Illaenus crassicauda can reach a length of about 14 centimetres (5.5 in). These trilobites are without glabella and without articulation of the tail. The cephalon has a high profile. The large bulbous head are distant from the axis of the head, close to the margin.[3]

References

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