LEGACY OF THE LOCUST—DUDLEY AND ITS FAMOUS TRILOBITE CALYMENE BLUMENBACHII DONALD G. MIKULIC AND JOANNE KLUESSENDORF Illinois State Geological Survey, Champaign, IL 61820,
[email protected], and Weis Earth Science Museum, University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley, Menasha, Wisconsin 54952,
[email protected] ABSTRACT—The trilobite Calymene blumenbachii from the Silurian at Dudley, England, had a fundamental role in the early study of this prominent group of extinct arthropods. Discovered during the mid-1700s, this was the first trilo- bite known from numerous complete and well-preserved fossils anywhere in the world. Commonly known as the Dudley Fossil or Dudley Locust, exceptional specimens of this trilobite became widely distributed in collections throughout Europe. As a result, they were central to the most influential trilobite papers of the time including those of Walch (1771) and Brongniart (1822). Many basic characteristics of the group, including their ability to enroll, were first established through the study of these fossils. In turn, this information provided the key evidence used to estab- lish the arthropod affinities of this group. During the late eighteenth century, all trilobites were commonly referred to as Dudley Fossils, and demonstrate the initial importance and prominence of this species. It became the standard of comparison in trilobite research, as well as the textbook example for these fossils. No other trilobite contributed as much to the early understanding of these ancient animals. The scientific prominence of Calymene blumenbachii derived from geologic and economic factors. The limestones at Dudley contained an exceptionally rich biota of well-preserved Silurian fossils, of which this trilobite was the most notable.