(CN) — In Morocco, researchers have unearthed remarkably well-preserved trilobite fossils, offering a clearer glimpse into their Cambrian-era anatomy than ever before.
Researchers detailed their findings in a study published Thursday in the journal Science how these ancient marine arthropods, were rapidly entombed in volcanic ash — in a process akin to what happened in Pompeii following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius — retain their soft tissues and intricate anatomy in extraordinary detail.
"The results revealed in exquisite detail a clustering of specialized leg pairs around the mouth, giving us a clearer picture of how trilobites fed," said Abderrazak El Albani, lead author of the study and professor at the University of Poitiers in France, in an email.
According to El Albani, the head and body appendages of the ancient trilobites were found to have inward-facing spines, similar to those of modern horseshoe crabs.
The fossils were discovered in the Tatelt Formation in Morocco. This formation hosts the youngest known record of xandarellids, extending their stratigraphic range by approximately 10 million years. They were preserved through a single pyroclastic flow event that swept through a shallow marine environment.
This rapid burial captured the trilobites in their life position, providing a snapshot of life millions of years ago.
Using high-resolution X-ray micro-tomography, the researchers documented previously unknown anatomical features, including curved spoon-like bases on mouth appendages and a fleshy lobe covering the mouth, called a labrum, which was documented for the first time in trilobites.
"We discovered that appendages found at the edge of the mouth had curved spoon-like bases but were so small they had gone undetected in less perfectly preserved fossils,” said El Albani.
Three-dimensional models produced through X-ray micro-tomography allowed for non-destructive imaging of the fossils, documenting parts that might be hidden or inaccessible in traditional fossil preparation methods.
“These models enable us to document the fossil in its entirety," El Albani said.
The trilobites were encased in hot ash in seawater, and their bodies fossilized quickly as the ash transformed into rock. This process, likened to the preservation seen in Pompeii, resulted in the pristine, three-dimensional preservation of both the exoskeleton and soft anatomy.
El Albani and his team suggest that volcanic ash deposits in marine settings could preserve soft-bodied creatures and detailed anatomy, pointing to further potential discoveries in similar deposits.
“Ash volcanic deposits will become new targets for study, given their exceptional potential for trapping and preserving biological remains, including delicate soft tissues," he said.
"Many regions and formations, including sedimentary and ash deposits, remain unexplored in Morocco, and my team and I are very excited to explore the potential for new fossil discoveries," El Albani added.
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