Perothops

Perothops is a genus of extinct trilobites belonging to the order Asaphida. Fossils of Perothops have been found in Ordovician-aged rocks, primarily in North America. The genus is characterized by its relatively large size compared to some other trilobites from the same period, and by distinct features in its cephalon (head shield) and pygidium (tail shield). Specific features often used to identify Perothops species include the shape and size of the glabella (the central raised area of the cephalon), the number and depth of pygidial ribs, and the overall outline of the exoskeleton. Due to variations in preservation and potential taxonomic revisions, identification of specific Perothops species can sometimes be challenging. The genus contributes to our understanding of trilobite diversity and paleoecology during the Ordovician period. Paleontologists use the distribution and morphology of Perothops to infer information about ancient marine environments and evolutionary relationships within the Asaphida order.