trilobite Blountia polita, Yellowstone National Park

USNM_96488: The trilobite Blountia polita (USNM 96488) (pictured) was discovered in the Middle Cambrian (~520 million years ago), Pilgrim Formation of Yellowstone National Park. As trilobites continued to evolve during the Paleozoic, so did their vision. From a lack of eyes to compound eyes, trilobites' vision is well documented in the fossil record, because of this, scientists are able to get insights on vision and the origin of eyes themselves. As a trilobite’s habitat changed, their body had to as well so they could continue to survive.;
Megan Norr;
March 2016;