TRILOLAB
'Trilolab' is a citizen science initiative and work group within the Palaeontologica Belgica organisation. Trilolab is focused on the research of trilobites occurring in the Paleozoic of Belgium and abroad, with strong emphasis on Devonian taxa. This lab is represented within the executive board and is focused mainly on scientific collecting, preparation, conservation, research and publishing. On this page you will find just a brief overview current and past Trilolab activities but a comprehensive overview can be found via the Trilolab website.
​
​
30 October 2024
Emsian trilobites from Reideschbaach
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
​​
A mixed Rhenish-Hercynian trilobite fauna is recorded from lower Emsian (Lower Devonian) strata in the Réideschbaach locality near Heiderscheid, Luxembourg. Previous investigations have led to the identifications of 12 distinct species of trilobites; our material is inclusive of several of these. Newly described taxa are Arduennella janseni n. sp. and Timsaloproetus xenos n. sp. from Réideschbaach, and Alatacastava corbachoi fantasma n. gen. et n. ssp. (Acastavinae) from the lower Emsian of Spain. Additionally, we record a complete specimen of Rhenops exhibiting a rare case of epizoic growth. The trilobites corroborate once more the previously assumed early Emsian age of the Réideschbaach fauna and affinities with (peri-)Gondwana. A recently documented mixed Rhenish-Hercynian trilobite fauna from the Pragian in the Longlier–Martelange area across the Belgian border has also yielded elements indicative of temporary exchange with Gondwanan terranes, but not a single genus is shared with the investigated fauna from Luxembourg. The temporal and local occurrences of exotic elements in Réideschbaach and the Longlier–Martelange area are referred to as incursion epiboles.
​