{"product_id":"trilobite-2","title":"Trilobite (Irvingella species B) - Bull River Valley, Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor those looking for something quite unique here is a relatively new (to science) trilobite called \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIrvingella (species B)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e. It has not yet been fully described - hence the odd name - and I have several to pick from.  This trilobite has recently been collected from the \u003cstrong\u003eUpper Cambrian\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMcKay Group\u003c\/strong\u003e in the \u003cstrong\u003eBull River Valley\u003c\/strong\u003e, east of \u003cstrong\u003eCranbrook \u003c\/strong\u003eand\u003cstrong\u003e Fort Steele, BC\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis plate shows a well-preserved and mostly complete example still embedded in slate (metamorphosed shale). This species has pronounced spines along the sides of the animal; the genal spines emanate from the head (cephalon) while the slightly shorter pleural spines protrude from the lower part of the body (thorax). Note that one of the genal spines is missing and the tip to one pleural spine is damaged. The trilobite, black in colour, is 1.5 cm long and contrasts nicely against the slightly brown matrix. The rock at this locality is very hard and often fractures at an angle across the original bedding. I have seen many specimens unfortunately ruined after trying to split the rock trying to reveal them. In this example, the trilobite was spared but the matrix did require repair to ensure the fossil was not damaged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBritish Columbia fossils are illegal to sell, except under special circumstances. I represent a team that has claims on several trilobite localities in BC that have been legally grandfathered into older legislation. \u003cstrong\u003eThis allows them to legally excavate, prepare and sell fossils from these particular claims, including this specimen\u003c\/strong\u003e. Mostly, they collect for themselves and only sell specimens to fund their collecting expenses. They simply love fossils and field collecting. Additionally, they have done a terrific job allowing the scientific community and local fossil clubs and school groups onto their claims for research, collecting and education. In my opinion, they are going above and beyond any legal requirements. As the Star Wars character The Mandalorian says, this is the way. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor those interested in learning more about the trilobites of the McKay Group I recommend the following scientific paper: \u003cstrong\u003eFurongian (Upper Cambrian) trilobites from the McKay Group, Bull River Valley, near Cranbrook, southeastern British Columbia, Canada (2016) by Brian D. E. Chatterton and Stacey Gibb in \u003cem\u003ePalaeontographica Canadiana\u003c\/em\u003e No 35\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is jointly published by the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists (now known as the Canadian Energy Geoscience Association) and the Geological Association of Canada.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFossil: \u003c\/strong\u003eTrilobite\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e Irvingella (species B)\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAge: \u003c\/strong\u003eUpper Cambrian\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFormation: \u003c\/strong\u003eMcKay Group\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocality: \u003c\/strong\u003eBull River Valley, East of Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDimensions: \u003c\/strong\u003eTrilobite size: 1.5cm long\u003cbr\u003ePlate size: 13 x 13.5 cm\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Rocky Mountain Minerals and Fossils","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52749186105626,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0679\/6011\/1386\/files\/Trilobite02-01.jpg?v=1787858432","url":"https:\/\/keithrocks.ca\/products\/trilobite-2","provider":"Rocky Mountain Minerals and Fossils","version":"1.0","type":"link"}