This artist's rendering depicts a creature that lived as early as 400 million years ago, the Trilobite. 

So far in this resource kit you've looked at ways of preparing "extant" or living species. But Field Museum is also home to hundreds of thousands of fossil specimen, like the trilobite fossils pictured below! These fossils can be used to glimpse into the living world of the past. Comparing the morphology and structure of extant species and extinct can provide important insights into the ecosystems of the past! 

Can you think of any animals you've seen that resemble the organisms in these fossils? Take a spin through these images to learn more!

TRILOBITES are an extinct group of arthropods and possessed a head, thorax and tail. Exceptionally-preserved trilobites also show legs and antennae. Isopods, commonly known as sowbugs or pillbugs, are a modern arthropod that resembles trilobites in many ways. 

This trilobite lived during the middle of the Devonian period.  

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Field Museum

Trilobite - Phacopes rana milleri

TRILOBITES are an extinct group of arthropods and possessed a head, thorax and tail. Exceptionally-preserved trilobites also show legs and antennae. Isopods, commonly known as sowbugs or pillbugs, are a modern arthropod that resembles trilobites in many ways.

This trilobite lived during the niagaran stage of the silurian period. 

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Trilobite - Dalmanites limulurus

Trilobites are an extinct group of arthropods and possessed a head, thorax and tail. Exceptionally-preserved trilobites also show legs and antennae. Isopods, commonly known as sowbugs or pillbugs, are a modern arthropod that resembles trilobites in many ways.

This trilobite lived during the Silurian period of the Paleozoic era. 

trilobite1.jpeg

Trilobite - Dalmanites Barrande 

Trilobites are an extinct group of arthropods and possessed a head, thorax and tail. Exceptionally-preserved trilobites also show legs and antennae. 

Resource Kits

Object Library

Museums

Standards for Prehistoric Specimens

Next Generation Science Standards