Rare Illaenus chudleighensis Russian Trilobite

Description: This is an example of the unusual trilobite Illaenus chudleighensis. This is one of the 50-odd members of the genus, and known for the high profile of the cephalon which is thought to have aided the trilobite in ploughing through the substrate in search of a meal. It is also one of the less common of the genus, with this one in a relatively prone position; most Illaenus are seen in an enrolled position, presumably a result of post mortem contraction of muscles in the massive cephalon.