Australian Museum Researchers Discover Abnormal Trilobite Fossils in New South Wales Collection

Dr Russell Bicknell, a visiting research fellow, collaborated with Dr Patrick Smith to study trilobite fossils from the Australian Museum's collection. Their investigation focused on specimens of Odontopleura markhami from the Silurian-aged Cotton Formation in rural New South Wales, dating back 434 million years. The researchers identified unusual examples with extra spines in larger growth stages, attributing these anomalies to genetic complications rather than injuries. This analysis provides insights into developmental abnormalities in ancient arthropods and suggests a shift in ecological roles, with large trilobites transitioning from predators to prey during the Ordovician period. The museum holds over 10,000 trilobites, including 225 holotype specimens.