The Passionate Collector - George Rae Fossils
An exhibition of fossils collected by George Rae and bequeathed
to the Hunterian Museum
11th September - 20th December 2003
11th September - 20th December 2003
| Introduction |
Eclectic Collection |
Prehistoric
encounters |
Swept to Their Deaths |
Trilobite Relations |
New to Science!
Of all the fossils
George collected, this trilobite is possibly the only new species he found from the Lady Burn
Starfish Beds. George was studying this specimen, but was unable to complete
his research. It is now hoped that this research will soon be completed.
Isotelus sp. nov. (new species) from the Lady Burn Starfish Beds, Girvan (diagram opposite by George Rae) Length: 4 cm |
|
This undescribed trilobite, Isotelus sp. nov. (new species), probably lived in shallow sub-tidal to intermediate water depths. It was swept to its death in the deeper waters by a submarine sediment slide.
One species of Isotelus (Isotelus rex) is the world’s largest trilobite, which grew to an enormous 70cm (28 inches) in length (the world’s smallest trilobite (Bynumina) is a mere 1mm (1/25th of an inch) in length). Another species of Isotelus (Isotelus maximus) is so well known in Ohio, USA, that it has become their state fossil!
Measurements are of the fossil not the field of view unless otherwise stated