FOSSILGUY.COM

"Celebrating the Richness of Paleontology through Fossil Hunting"







fossilera logo
>Eldredgeops (Phacops)

Eldredgeops (Phacops)

Trilobite Facts and Information

Eldredgeops Triolobites
The Frog Eye Trilobite

Eldredeaops (Phacops) rana Trilobite Fossil from New York


Fast Facts about Eldredgeops Trilobites

Two Enrolled Eldredgeops (Phacops) rana trilobite from New York.


Old Name: Phacops (pronunciation: "phac ops") - The greek root fakos means "lens" due to their large eyes. Common Species in North America: Phacops rana ("Frog Eye or Frog Lens")

New Name: Eldredgeops (pronunciation: "el dredge ops") - Eldredge is the last name of paleontologist Niles Eldredge, who did allot of work with Phacopida trilobites. Common Species in North America: Eldredgeops rana ("Eldredge Lens")

Taxonomy: Phylum: Arthropoda - Class: Trilobita - Order: Phacopida - Family: Phacopidae - Genus: Eldredgeops

Species and Subspecies:
Species: rana, iowensis
Subspecies: rana, milleri, crassituberculata, norwoodensis, and possibly others

Age: Middle Devonian

Distribution: North America

Body Size:
Eldredgeops range in size from roughly 1 to 10 cm (.5" to close to 4")

Diet:
Due to their large eyes and large glabells, they were probably active predators.

Physical Appearance:
Even though their body design is rather plain and simple, the large glabella (nose looking area), and bulbous eyes make Eldredgeops one of the more recognizable trilobites.

Pennsylvania State Fossil:
Eldredgeops rana is the Pennsylvania State Fossil!

Similar Looking Genus:
Kainops, Reedops, Phacops, Phaciphacops





Eldredgeops (Phacops) Very Special Trilobite Eyes


A conspicuous feature is their eyes. For a trilobite, the suborder of Phacopina, including Eldredgeops and Phacops, have very sophisticated eyes called schizochroal eyes. These are large, round, and bulbous eyes. They contain many calcite lenses separated by tissue called sclera (this tissue makes up the whites of your eyes). These eyes had overlapping visual fields (depth perception) and possible color perception (Stockton and Cowen, 1976). They could also swivel, creating a 360 degree field of view. Stockton and Cowen say these special eyes were fundamentally different than any compound eye in existence today. Because the eyes slightly resemble the eyes of a frog, the most common species name is "rana" which is latin for "frog".

Besides the eyes, the glabella (nose looking area that actually contains part of the digestive system) is very large, and contains many small bumps. The rest of Eldredgeops is somewhat plain. The cephalon (head) and pygydium (tail) is rounded. The thorax is plain looking. Like other trilobites, as Eldredgeops grew, it molted and gained additional thorax segments.

Very similar looking genera in this suborder include Reedops, Kainops, Phaciphacops, Phacops from Morocco, and the large Drotops from Morocco. Each genus has small differences in the cephalon and has different numbers of lenses in the eyes.



This is a closeup of two large Eldredgeops trilobite fossils showing the inflated glabella with the small bumps, and the schizochroal eyes.




Phacops or Eldredgeops? - Why the Trilobite name change?


These North American Trilobites are popularly called Phacops, but should be corectly called Eldredgeops. Why the name duality? These trilobites were originally called Phacops, and that's what fossil hunters have collectively known them as for decades. However, in 1990, the genus was renamed Eldredgeops. Here's the short version as to why:

During the Devonian, in the Eldredgeops/Phacops heyday, Africa / South Europe and North America / North Europe were separated by a narrow sea called the Rheic Ocean. Because it was so narrow, many of the trilobites on either side looked very similar. Originally, the "Phacops" looking trilobites on either side of the ocean were both assigned to the genus Phacops.

Then in 1990, Struve did an in-depth study of the morphology of the Phacops genera. He concluded there were enough slight physical differences between the "Phacops" on the North American side and the Phacops on the African side to break them into separate genera.

He renamed the Phacops lineage on the Eastern side of the Rheic Ocean (North America and Northern Europe) to the genus Eldredgeops (Based on an Ohio type specimen). Since phacops was originally described based on a specimen from Germany, he kept the lineage on the Western side of the Rheic Ocean (North Africa/Middle East/South Europe) as Phacops.

So now the North American "Phacops" trilobites are officially called Eldredgeops. This new name tends to be unpopular with fossil hunters because the old name "Phacops" is engrained in the fossil culture and it's just so much easier to say!

Will this classification ever change? If you have been a fossil hunter for a while, you know it very well could. Revisions will occur, new names pop up and old names may become valid again. Who knows!

If you don't understand what I just said in the above paragraphs, all you need to know is this:
If you find a "Phacops" trilobite in North America: West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, or Ohio, it's most likely an Eldregeops.




Phacopid Trilobites: Predatory Behavior


While some orders of trilobites were particle feaders, suspension feeders, and others were filter feeders (See Cryptolythus), it's thought that the Phacopidae family (including Eldredgeops) were benthic (sea floor) predators.

There are many reasons for this line of thought. Some of them include the following:

The Glabella
Phacopid trilobites had enlarged glabellas. The glabella held most of the digestive system. A large glabella indicates these trilobites would have consumed large chunks of prey, and not just small particles.

Size
Owens, 1999, correlates larger trilobites to a predatory lifestyle, while smaller ones were mainly filter feeders and particle feeders. Since Eldredgeops were some of the larger trilobites of the time. These larger arthropods could have been the predators on the sea floor.

The Eyes
Since Eldredgeops' schizochroal eyes were a very remarkable visual system , which had nearly 360 degree field of view and depth perception, Stockton and Cowen, 1976, suggests Eldredgeops (Phacops) was an active benthonic animal. There is no need for such sophisticated eyes in a scavenger.

The hypostome (Mouth Parts)
Finally, the mouth part of Eldredgeops, the hypostome, was branched and had a "considerable freedom of movement" (Miller 1976), indicating it could manipulate large and possibly struggling prey.




Eldredgeops (Phacops) Trilobite Enrollment:


If an Eldredgeops was threatened, it could completely enroll forming a very strong ball. While some types of trilobites could only partially enroll, Eldredgeops, could fully enroll for protection. The cephalon would make a tight seal with the pygydium. This would create a formidable defense from other larger Devonian predators.



This image shows a large enrolled Eldredgeops (Phacops) trilobite from the Silica formation of Paulding Ohio.



References / Works Cited

Castro, Jose L. (1996). Sharks of North American Waters. College Station: Texas AandM University Press.

Fortey, R.A. & Owens, R.M. (1999) Feeding habits in trilobites. Palaeontology 42(3),429-465. DOI 10.1111/1475-4983.00080

Miller, J. (1976) The sensory fields and life mode of Phacops rana (Green, 1832). Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 69, 337-67.

Stockton, W. L. and Cowen, R. (1976) Stereoscopic vision in one eye: paleophysiology of the schizochroal eye of trilobites. Paleobiology, 2, 304-315.




Where to find Eldredgeops (Phacops) Trilobite Fossils


Eldredgeops (Phacops) is common in many middle Devonian formations in the Eastern United States. Some of the notable formations where Eldredgeops (Phacops) trilobites are found include:


Needmore formation in West Virginia
Mahantango formation in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia
Hamilton Group of Western New York
Silica shale of Ohio
Haragan formation in Oklahoma
Little Cedar Formation in Iowa



If you want to hunt for your own Eldredgeops trilobite, click on one of the above formations for specific fossil collecting information, including fossil hunting locations and directions.

Fossil hunting for Eldredgeops (Phacops) Trilobites in Ohio.


Recommended Trilobite and Fossil Hunting Books:


The Trilobite Collector's Guide
Andy Secher, 2024


This book by Andy Secher, a leading trilobite collector, offers a captivating journey into the world of these ancient arthropods. With over 400 stunning photos, entertaining top-ten lists, invaluable collecting tips, and ways to spot a fake trilobite, it's a must-have for fossil enthusiasts!




Trilobites: Common Trilobites of North America (A NatureGuide Book)
Jasper Burns, 2000


An excellent guide for identifying North American trilobites, featuring meticulous line drawings and concise information on classification, geologic range, and distribution. Ideal for enthusiasts seeking detailed insights and accurate identification of these ancient arthropods.



101 American Fossil Sites You've Gotta See
Albert B Dickas, 2018


This is a great updated fossil sites book with at least one fossil site in each state. Each site is broken into 2 pages. One has detailed information, such as directions, GPS coordinates, formation information, etc... The other is dedicated to images of the site and the fossils found there. It also gives information on fossil 'viewing' sites such as dinosaur trackways, museums, and active excavations.
Plus, my fossil photos are peppered throughout this book!



Trilobites for Sale:


Trilobites from Fossil Era
Trilobite fossils are some of the most beautiful and collectible fossils in the world! There are countless species of trilobites. They make beautiful display and conversation pieces. Common ones make very affordable for gifts to fossil and paleontology enthusiasts. Fossil Era has a huge selection of top quality trilobites from many states and many countries. It's fun just to browse through the inventory and look at all the different types!




Eldredgeops (Phacops) Fossil Examples


E. rana crassituberculata

Ohio has some of North Americas largest Eldredgeops trilobites. They are E. rana crassituberculata.




This is an enrolled Eldredgeops (Phacops) rana crassituberculata Trilobite from the Silica formation, Paulding Ohio.

Formation:Silica Formation
Age:Middle Devonian
Location:Paulding, Ohio
Size:1.3" width (34 mm)



This is another enrolled Eldredgeops (Phacops) rana crassituberculata Trilobite from the Silica formation, Paulding Ohio.

Formation:Silica Formation
Age:Middle Devonian
Location:Paulding, Ohio
Size:1.4" width (35 mm)



This is a very large Eldredgeops (Phacops) rana crassituberculata Trilobite from the Silica formation, Paulding Ohio. Unfortunately the pygidium (tail) is missing.

Formation:Silica Formation
Age:Middle Devonian
Location:Paulding, Ohio
Size:~ 2.2" length (55mm) - longer if it had the pygidium



E. rana crassituberculata

Ohio has some of North Americas largest Eldredgeops trilobites. They are E. rana crassituberculata.



This is a prone Eldredgeops (Phacops) rana milleri trilobite fossil from the Hamilton group of New York.

Formation:Hamilton Group: Wanakah Member (Ludlowville Formation)
Age:Middle Devonian, ~387 - 378 m.y.
Location:Western New York
Size:~ .9" length (23mm)



These are some small enrolled Eldredgeops (Phacops) trilobite fossils from the Hamilton group of New York.

Formation:Hamilton Group: Wanakah Member (Ludlowville Formation)
Age:Middle Devonian, ~387 - 378 m.y.
Location:Western New York



A small Eldredgeops rana milleri trilobite fossil.

Formation:Hamilton Group: Wanakah Member (Ludlowville Formation)
Age:Middle Devonian, ~387 - 378 m.y.
Location:Western New York
Size: ~ .9" length (23mm)



This is a prone Eldredgeops (Phacops) rana milleri trilobite fossil from the Hamilton group of New York. One of the segment sections is missing.

Formation:Hamilton Group: Wanakah Member (Ludlowville Formation)
Age:Middle Devonian, ~387 - 378 m.y.
Location:Western New York
Size: ~ .9" length (23mm)



This is a prone Eldredgeops (Phacops) from West Virginia. In this formation, the fossils are not preserved as well.

Formation:Needmore Formation
Age:Middle Devonian
Location:near Lost River, West Virginia
Size: ~ 1.5" (38mm)




About the Author

Contact Us

To ask Questions about Paleontology, Fossil Identification, Image Use, or anything else, email us.

Fossilguy.com is very active on Facebook, you can also message us there!

We don't buy or sell fossils, so please don't email us asking about the value of a fossil or fossil purchases.

Visit us on Social Media:



Enjoy this website?
Consider a Paypal / Credit Card donation of any size to help with site maintenance and web hosting fees:



Privacy Policy and Legal Disclaimer


Back to the TOP of page

© 2000 - 2024 : All rights reserved

FOSSILGUY.COM

fossilguy logo

Fossilguy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com