Exploring abnormal Cambrian-aged trilobites in the Smithsonian collection

Abstract

Biomineralised trilobite exoskeletons provide a 250 million year record of abnormalities in one of the most diverse arthropod groups in history. One type of abnormality—repaired injuries—have allowed palaeobiologists to document records of Paleozoic predation, accidental damage, and complications in moulting experienced by the group. Although Cambrian trilobite injuries are fairly well documented, the illustration of new injured specimens will produce a more complete understanding of Cambrian prey items. To align with this perspective, nine new abnormal specimens displaying healed injuries from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History collection are documented. The injury pattern conforms to the suggestion of lateralised prey defence or predator preference, but it is highlighted that the root cause for such patterns is obscured by the lumping of data across different palaeoecological and environmental conditions. Further studies of Cambrian trilobites with injuries represent a key direction for uncovering evidence for the Cambrian escalation event.