Members of Trilolab are involved in various projects in collaboration with palaeontological societies, researchers and private collectors; most of these last for several years. We drive educational activities and we conduct and publish scientific research, among other core and temporary initiatives. A limited selection of projects is presented below.
Devonian trilobite biostratigraphy
Biostratigraphy focuses on correlating and assigning relative ages of rock strata by using the fossil assemblages contained within them. Devonian trilobite assemblages are divided into near- and offshore domains each associated with distinct biofacies. That is, relationships are apparent between distanced associations living in comparable environmental conditions rather than geographically close ones residing in different domains. The potential of trilobites to interregional correlations of rock beds has yet to be fully explored. A sound taxonomic basis is a prerequisite for such studies. Trilolab publishes research papers that aim to contribute to our understanding of trilobite systematics and biostratigraphy.
Figured here are Burmeisterella quadrispinosa Wenndorf, 1990 and Arduennella maillieuxi (Asselberghs, 1923), two index fossils for the early to middle lower Emsian. With help of these species an old outcrop in the monotonous Early Devonian sequences near Breitfeld (Sankt Vith area, Hohes Venn) could be dated. |
Trilobite preparation collective
High quality preparation is an indispensable asset to scientific research. Most commercial preparations are subject to economic logic: they are either fast but very low quality, or decent but very expensive.
Trilolab tries to encourage people to take up fossil preparation by providing practical and technical information, and by sharing best practices and inspiring preparation stories. At Trilolab, we prepare our own specimens for research. But we also build on a larger network of enthousiastic trilobite preparators, motivated to provide high-quality specimens for scientific research on a non-commercial basis. |
Systematics of Devonian phacopid trilobites from western Europe and MoroccoPhacopids are arguably one of the most underrated groups of trilobites. For many decades Devonian diversity was largely attributed to a single genus, Phacops. Extensive splitting commenced in the 1970s, mainly by the German palaeontologist Wolfgang Struve. Opinions on the systematics of Phacops and similar taxa probably could not have diverged more widely since. The at times conservative morphology of phacopids poses major challenges to the recognition of phylogenetically informative characters. What is more is that many species in the old literature are in urgent need of revision. Establishing a solid taxonomic foundation is key to understanding the evolution of these trilobites in the closing Rheic Ocean during the Devonian.
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Devonian trilobite palaeobiogeography
Palaeobiogeography is eloquently defined as the scientific study of the geographic distribution of fossils. It is actually a fascinating aspect of our contemporary observations. How is it possible that we find very similar trilobite species in coeval strata in Belgium and Morocco whereas there is such a large distance between these countries nowadays? Knowing that Devonian trilobites, for instance, were obligate bottom dwellers of shallow waters there could not have been a deep ocean between these countries during that time. There are divergent opinions and different models that define what earth looked like throughout its history. Fossils can help to enhance these and this includes the trilobites.
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Scientific collection
By properly documenting and archiving our finds, we are gradually creating an invaluable collection of (mostly unprepared) in-situ collected specimens. This collection is supplemented by specimens purchased from reliable sources. This way, ongoing research can almost always be supported by additional material from our own collections.
All type specimens we describe are donated to collections in scientific institutes. |
Fieldwork
It is paramount to document the precise origin of each find. Therefore, we try to collect in situ, i.e. directly from the layer in its original position, and to document each site, each section, each find. We can assist in fieldwork campaigns or coordinate search efforts in potential scientific interesting sections. Some examples:
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