Ectillaenus giganteus
Trilobite
Ordovician
Valongo Formation
Covelo, Portugal

The Ectillaenus is 3 1/2” in length, the Placoparia 3⁄4”. The plate size is 8 5/8 x 5 1/2”.

Valongo trilobites are easily recognized by their ghostly appearance. They are normally compressed, distorted, and the matrix has a slatey appearance. This one is part of a small batch of exceptionally well-preserved specimens that I recently procured. One is struck immediately by the exquisite preservation, color and aesthetics of this large two species association plate. Both the Ectillaenus and Placoparia are fully prone and inflated, resting comfortably on the matrix. Special attention needs to be paid to the fact that both specimens show none of the distortion, crushing and stretching normally associated with Valongo trilobites.