Olenellus Trilobite | Nevada

Olenellus chiefensis
Lower Cambrian
Pioche Shale
Lincoln County, Nevada

Trilobite approx. size: 1"

Matrix approx. size: 4" x 3" x 0.5" at thickest part. Only 3mm at thinnest part.

Olenellus chiefensis is a rare trilobite from the Lower Cambrian period. This genus of trilobite lived approximately 522 to 510 million years ago. Fossils of Olenellus chienensis have been found in Lower Cambrian formations in North America, specifically in western areas such as Nevada.

Like other olenellid trilobites, Olenellus chiefensis was likely a benthic organism that inhabited shallow marine environments with soft substrates. Its morphology suggests it was an agile crawler, possibly scavenging or filter-feeding on organic detritus. Olenellid trilobites are often preserved in lagerstätten with minimal transport, suggesting in situ burial, likely due to rapid sedimentation events.