Proetus (trilobite)

Proetus is a genus of proetid trilobite found in Silurian-aged marine strata of Europe and Devonian-aged strata of Gondwana.

Etymology

The generic name commemorates Proetus (), a mythical king of Argos and Tiryns, son of King Abas of Argo.

Taxonomy

Proetus is the type genus of the order Proetida, and of the family Proetidae. The genus became a wastebasket taxon that held numerous species of similar looking trilobites from the Ordovician to Carboniferous periods. Most of these species have been split off into other genera at various times.

Species

The following list is incomplete:

• The type species Proetus concinnus is found in Wenlock-aged marine strata of Sweden, Great Britain, Estonia, and Germany
• Proetus latifrons is found in Llandovery-aged marine strata of Ireland and Great Britain.
• Proetus latimargo is found in Australian Devonian strata.
• Proetus sparsinodosus is found in Australian Devonian strata.
• Proetus talenti is found in Australian Devonian strata.

References