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LPB_42
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Dechenella mackayi
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Trilobites are not common in the Devonian rocks of New Zealand, but they can be found - and are worth the hunt. Only a few species have been identified to date, the majority of which are found in both New Zealand and eastern Australia. Amongst the species identified, however, Dechenella mackayi is exceptional, in that no dechenelids are known from Australia at this time. For that reason, at least one authority has suggested that previous identifications were doubtful and that the species needs further study. For the same reason, the identification of this specimen needs to be treated with caution.
The specimen shown here is believed to be from Reefton, but was a gift so its provenance is not certain. |
Further Reading:
Wright, A.J. 1990 Acastid trilobites from the Baton Formation (Early Devonian), New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 33 (10), 49-53.
Wright, A.J. & Cooper, R.A. 2011 Phylum arthropoda, subphylum trilobitomorpha: trilobites. Chapter 5 in: New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity Vo. 2. pp. 45-49. Christchurch: Canterbury University Press.
Wright, A.J. 1990 Acastid trilobites from the Baton Formation (Early Devonian), New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 33 (10), 49-53.
Wright, A.J. & Cooper, R.A. 2011 Phylum arthropoda, subphylum trilobitomorpha: trilobites. Chapter 5 in: New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity Vo. 2. pp. 45-49. Christchurch: Canterbury University Press.