Endertia

Endertia is a genus of extinct trilobites belonging to the family Olenellidae. These trilobites lived during the Early Cambrian period. Endertia fossils are primarily found in North America, specifically in regions like California and Nevada.

The defining characteristics of Endertia include its relatively large size compared to other olenellid trilobites, its prominent cephalon (head shield) with long, spinose genal angles (cheek spines), and its multi-segmented thorax. The pygidium (tail shield) is relatively small and often difficult to distinguish.

Endertia is an important genus in understanding the evolution and biogeography of early trilobites during the Cambrian explosion. Its morphology and geographic distribution provide valuable data for reconstructing the paleogeography of the Cambrian world and for understanding the relationships between different trilobite taxa. Its presence in western North America suggests a connection between these regions and other areas with olenellid trilobite faunas during the Early Cambrian. The genus is named after the collector who discovered the initial specimens.