Founder of Isotelus maximus    Isotelus maximus, also called Isotelus metistos, was founded by John Locke near the southwestern corner of Ohio.   Locke collected only the pygidium (tail) of the this species but by proportional comparison, he estimated the complete size of this trilobite of about 21 inches in length.

Isotelus maximus

 

Huffman Dam Trilobite:    The Huffman Dam species is considered to be the most famous Isotelus discovered.  The fossil was found in 1919 by workmen digging a tunned during the construction of the Huffman Dam.  Isotelus measures 14 1/2 inches in length and 10 1/4 inches in width, which is one of the largest trilobite ever collected.    The speciman is now on permanent display at the National Museum of Natural History (the Smithsonian Institution) in Washington, D.C.

 

Facts About Isotelus maximus:

June 20, 1985:  Designated the State Invertebrate Fossil of Ohio Isotelus:  Known from rocks of Late Ordovican age (450-438 millions years ago) Named "maximus" because of its large size One of the largest trilobite ever collected