Huntoniatonia huntonensis Oklahoma Trilobite

Description: Huntoniatonis ( Huntonia) huntonensis is a Dalmanatid trilobite (Order: Phacopida; Suborder Phacopina; Superfamily: Dalmanitoidea; Family: Dalmanitidae) coming from the Lower Devonian Haragan Formation in, Oklahoma. While the name Huntoniatonis may appear to be a typo, it is the result of the fact that the original genus name, Huntonia, was found to be preoccupied by an Isopod. The huntonensis species is mainly distinguished from the more rare species of genus Huntonia from Oklahoma by its shorter pygidial spine.

As a member of Phacopid suborder Phacopina, this Dalmanitid possesses the remarkable Schizochroal eyes determined by Clarkson and Levi-Setti (1975) to correct for spherical aberration, an outcome of post-displacement paedomorphosis, whereby selective pressures, because survival is benefited, results in the retaining of traits previously only existing in juvenile members of a species. This evolutionary innovation has never been repeated among the Arthropods.

Also see: Oklahoma Trilobites