Prospectatrix

Prospectatrix is a genus of trilobites of average size, that lived in the Lower Ordovician and is probably ancestral to the other genera of the Cyclopygidae family. Its eyes are only moderately enlarged and it has six or seven thorax segments.

Etymology

Prospectatrix is derived from the Latin, meaning “early observer”, expressing that this genus was an early representative of the extremely well-sighted cyclopygids. The species epithet is derived from the Latin exquisita, meaning excellent, refers to the well preserved type specimens.

Distribution

P. genatenta occurs in the Lower Ordovician of the United Kingdom, Argentina. P. exquisita has been found in the Lower Ordovician of northwest China.P. brevior is known from the Lower Ordovician of the United Kingdom. P. superciliata from the Lower Ordovician of Turkey.