Fast Facts about Asaphiscus wheeleri
Name:
Asaphiscus wheeleri. The genus name Asaphiscus is tied to the family Asaphiscidae, while wheeleri refers to the Wheeler Formation / Wheeler Shale where these trilobites are commonly found.
Taxonomy:
Phylum Arthropoda; Class Trilobita; Order Ptychopariida; Family Asaphiscidae; Genus Asaphiscus.
Common species:
Asaphiscus wheeleri and Asaphiscus laeviceps. A. wheeleri is the familiar Wheeler Shale species often collected in Utah.
Age:
Middle Cambrian.
Distribution:
North America, especially Cambrian exposures in Utah and Nevada. The best-known collecting areas are in the House Range of western Utah.
Body size:
Most complete Asaphiscus specimens are about 1 to 2 inches long. Large examples can reach about 2.5 inches, while exceptional specimens may approach 3 inches.
Diet:
Likely a particle feeder or deposit feeder that moved along the Cambrian sea floor and consumed organic material in the sediment.
Appearance:
Asaphiscus is a plain, oval-shaped trilobite with a rounded cephalon and pygidium. It lacks the dramatic spines and ornamentation seen in many other trilobites, but complete specimens are attractive and collectible.
Asaphiscus wheeleri Trilobite Facts and Identification
Asaphiscus wheeleri is one of the better-known Cambrian trilobites from the Wheeler Shale of Utah. It is not as flashy as spiny trilobites, but it is an important and recognizable Wheeler Shale fossil. Its smooth, oval outline, rounded head shield, simple body form, and thin exoskeleton make it a classic example of a Middle Cambrian trilobite from the House Range.
Unlike many trilobites that are known mostly from fragments, Asaphiscus specimens can sometimes be found complete. However, many fossils are missing the free cheeks, which likely separated during molting. Complete examples with all major body parts preserved are more desirable to collectors, especially when the trilobite is well centered on the shale slab.
The average Asaphiscus specimen is about 1 to 2 inches long. Larger individuals around 2.5 inches are impressive, and complete specimens close to 3 inches are exceptional. Because the exoskeleton can be thin and delicate, careful preparation is often needed to expose the fossil without damaging the shell.
Where to Find Asaphiscus wheeleri Trilobite Fossils
Asaphiscus wheeleri fossils are mainly found in Cambrian Wheeler Shale deposits of Utah and Nevada. In Utah, the classic collecting region is the House Range near Delta, where Asaphiscus occurs alongside the famous Elrathia kingii trilobite.
One of the easiest public places to look for Wheeler Shale trilobites is the U-Dig quarry near Delta, Utah. Collectors there commonly find Elrathia, while Asaphiscus specimens may also occur in the same general Cambrian shale layers.
For a collecting example from the area, see my Utah trilobite fossil hunting trip in the Wheeler Shale near Delta, Utah.
Recommended Trilobite and Fossil Hunting Books:
The Trilobite Collector's Guide
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!
View on Amazon
Trilobites: Common Trilobites of North America
An excellent guide for identifying North American trilobites, featuring meticulous line drawings and concise information on classification, geologic range, and distribution.
View on Amazon
101 American Fossil Sites You've Gotta See
This updated fossil-sites book covers at least one site in every state, with directions, GPS coordinates, formation information, site photos, museums, trackways, and active excavations. Plus, my fossil photos are peppered throughout the book!
View on Amazon
Trilobites from Fossil Era
Trilobite fossils are some of the most beautiful and collectible fossils in the world. They make excellent display pieces and affordable gifts for fossil and paleontology enthusiasts. Fossil Era has a large selection of prepared trilobites from many states and countries, making it fun to browse the variety of forms preserved in the fossil record.
Asaphiscus wheeleri Fossil Examples
The following fossil examples come from the House Range of Utah and show different preservation styles of Asaphiscus wheeleri. Some specimens are complete, while others show how thin or delicate the exoskeleton can be after molting and burial.
Timelapse Video of an Asaphiscus wheeleri Prep Sequence
Asaphiscus Trilobite preparation Sequence Video
Time-lapse preparation sequence of an Asaphiscus wheeleri trilobite fossil.
Formation: Wheeler Shale
Age: Cambrian
Location: House Range, Utah
Formation: Wheeler Shale
Age: Cambrian
Location: House Range, Utah
References / Works Cited
Meek, F. B. (1870). Descriptions of fossils collected by the U.S. Geological Survey under Clarence King.
Robison, R. A. Additional Middle Cambrian trilobites from the Wheeler Shale of Utah. Journal of Paleontology.
Conway Morris, S., & Robison, R. A. Middle Cambrian priapulids and other soft-bodied fossils from Utah and Spain. University of Kansas Paleontological Contributions.
FAQs: Asaphiscus wheeleri Trilobite Questions
Learn what Asaphiscus wheeleri is, where it is found, how to identify it, and why the Wheeler Shale of Utah is famous for Cambrian trilobite fossils.
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What is Asaphiscus wheeleri?
Asaphiscus wheeleri is a Cambrian trilobite commonly found in the Wheeler Shale of Utah. It is a plain-looking, oval-shaped trilobite with a rounded cephalon, rounded pygidium, and no obvious spines or ornamentation.
See: Asaphiscus Info -
Where are Asaphiscus wheeleri fossils found?
Asaphiscus wheeleri fossils are best known from the Cambrian Wheeler Shale of Utah, especially the House Range near Delta. They are often found with Elrathia kingii and other Wheeler Shale trilobites.
See: Fossil Locations
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How big did Asaphiscus wheeleri get?
Most Asaphiscus wheeleri fossils are about 1 to 2 inches long. Larger specimens can reach about 2.5 inches, and exceptional complete specimens may approach 3 inches.
See: Fast Facts -
How can you identify Asaphiscus wheeleri?
Asaphiscus wheeleri is usually identified by its simple oval body, rounded cephalon, rounded pygidium, lack of spines, and thin exoskeleton. Complete specimens often show missing free cheeks because the trilobite commonly molted before burial.
See: Asaphiscus Info -
What did Asaphiscus wheeleri eat?
Asaphiscus wheeleri was likely a particle feeder or deposit feeder that moved along the Cambrian sea floor and consumed small organic particles in the sediment.
See: Fast Facts -
Is Asaphiscus wheeleri common at U-Dig Fossils?
Asaphiscus wheeleri can be found in the Wheeler Shale near Delta, Utah, including areas associated with U-Dig Fossils. It is commonly found with Elrathia kingii, though complete Asaphiscus specimens are less common than loose or partial specimens.
See: Fossil Locations -
Why are many Asaphiscus fossils missing their free cheeks?
Many Asaphiscus fossils are molts rather than complete carcasses. During molting, the free cheeks separated from the rest of the exoskeleton, so fossil specimens are often found without them.
See: Fossil Examples -
Why is the Wheeler Shale important?
The Wheeler Shale is an important Cambrian fossil formation in Utah known for abundant trilobites and occasional soft-bodied fossils. It gives fossil collectors and paleontologists a window into Middle Cambrian marine life.
See: Fossil Locations
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