Trident trilobite: Walliserops

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A fossil trilobite, new to science and now named Walliserops, from Devonian rocks in Morocco. This trilobite has 'horns' over its eyes, three rows of impressive spines along its back and a large trident-like appendage in front.

The trident could have had several uses, including discouraging predators, or, possibly, disturbing the muddy seabed surface as it foraged for food. Trilobites from the Cambrian period are apparently much less specialised and these later animals may well have evolved to live in very specific environments, with specialised diets.