Olenisia

Olenisia is a genus of fossil trilobites belonging to the order Phacopida. These extinct marine arthropods lived during the Devonian period, specifically from the Early Devonian to the Late Devonian epochs. Olenisia fossils are primarily found in marine sedimentary rocks.

The genus Olenisia is characterized by its distinctive cephalon (head shield) and pygidium (tail shield), as well as the structure of its thoracic segments. Like other phacopids, Olenisia possessed compound eyes. The number and arrangement of segments in its exoskeleton are key diagnostic features used by paleontologists to classify and differentiate species within the genus.

Fossil discoveries of Olenisia provide valuable insights into the paleoecology and paleobiogeography of the Devonian seas. The distribution of Olenisia fossils across different geological formations helps scientists understand ancient continental configurations and marine environmental conditions. Research on Olenisia continues to contribute to our understanding of trilobite evolution and the broader history of life on Earth during the Paleozoic Era.