Olenoides
genus of trilobites
Olenoides is a genus of trilobite from the Cambrian period. Its fossils can be found with soft body parts intact in the Burgess Shale in Canada. Fossils of this genus can also be found in the Wheeler Shale and Marjum Formation of Utah in the United States of America, among other localities. Species within this genus range in size, with most being medium-sized trilobites (Olenoides serratus from the Burgess Shale can be up to 9 centimeters in length). Specimens of Olenoides superbus, pictured on the right, an especially large species, can reach sizes of well over 10 centimeters in length. Olenoides is part of the order Corynexochida, which is among the most ancient trilobite orders.
Etymology
Olenoides – from Olenus, in Greek mythology a man who, along with his wife Lethaea, was turned to stone. Olenus was used for a trilobite genus name in 1827; the suffix -oides(“resembling”) was added later.
Discussion
Olenoides followed the basic structure of all trilobites — a cephalon (head shield), a thorax with seven jointed parts, and finally a semicircular pygidium. Its antennae were long, and curved back along its sides.
The public source identifies “Olenoides” as genus of trilobites. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Olenoides, genus and trilobites.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “Olenoides”, the useful work is to connect “genus of trilobites” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
The date and method of observation matter as much as the stated conclusion, especially where classification or consensus has changed. The source revision retrieved here is dated Jun 22, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q2321982. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference. The first chronological checks are 1827.
Current terminology should not be projected backward without checking the classification used when the underlying evidence was created. The lead is largely declarative, so disagreement and counter-evidence require a deliberate search beyond the opening account. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Check terminology, classification and the date of the cited evidence. Scientific names and technical consensus can change while older records retain historical value.
- Current terminology
- Classification context
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Primary datasets, specimen catalogues, standards bodies and the most recent peer-reviewed literature.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Olenoides”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Olenoides primary sources, Olenoides archive and Olenoides research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
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This entry incorporates text from “Olenoides” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.