page_title: Ampyx (trilobite)
section_title: Collective behaviour
hierarchical_section_title: Ampyx (trilobite) / Collective behaviour
caption_attribution_description: English: Linear cluster of the raphiophorid trilobite Ampyx priscus Thoral, 1935, from the Lower Ordovician (upper Tremadocian-Floian) Fezouata Shale of Morocco (Zagora area)
context_page_description: Ampyx is an Ordovician-Silurian genus of Asaphid trilobites of the family Raphiophoridae. Species of Ampyx are characterized by three extended spines on the head-shield, one spine derived from each free cheek, and one spine emanating from the glabellum. Species include Ampyx linleyensis.
  Species of Ampyx grew to an average length of 1.5 inches.
context_section_description: Fossils of the trilobite Ampyx priscus, dating back about 480 million years ago, have been recently described as clustered in lines along the ocean floor. The animals were all mature adults, and were all facing the same direction as though they had formed a conga line or a peloton. It has been suggested they line up in this manner to migrate, much as spiny lobsters migrate in single-file queues. Or perhaps they are getting together for mating. The findings suggest animal collective behaviour has very early evolutionary origins.
caption: Linear cluster of
  Ampyx priscus
exif: {}