Asaphid

Asaphid refers to extinct marine arthropods belonging to the order Asaphida. These trilobites were common during the Ordovician period, approximately 485 to 443 million years ago, and some persisted into the Silurian period. Asaphids are characterized by their generally ovate body shape and a distinct division into three lobes longitudinally: the axial lobe and two pleural lobes. They possessed a prominent glabella, the central raised section of the cephalon (head shield), which often displayed a smooth or sparsely ornamented surface.

The eyes of asaphids were typically large and located on the sides of the cephalon, suggesting good vision for their time. Their exoskeletons were generally thin and flexible. Asaphids were a diverse group, with many species adapted to various marine environments, from shallow waters to deeper seafloor habitats. Their diet likely consisted of detritus or small invertebrates. The extinction of the Asaphida order is generally attributed to broader Paleozoic extinction events. Fossilized remains of asaphids are found worldwide, providing valuable insights into ancient marine ecosystems and the evolution of arthropods.