| Waukeshaaspis Temporal range:
| |
|---|---|
| |
| Fossil specimen of W. eatonae | |
| |
| World map of the lower Silurian (435 mya), roughly the same age as the Waukesha Biota | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | †Trilobita |
| Order: | †Phacopida |
| Family: | †Dalmanitidae |
| Genus: | †Waukeshaaspis Randolfe & Gass, 2024 |
| Species: | †W. eatonae
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Waukeshaaspis eatonae Randolfe & Gass, 2024
| |
Waukeshaaspis is an extinct genus of trilobite (a diverse group of marine arthropods) known from the lower Silurian aged Waukesha Biota. A single species is currently known, Waukeshaaspis eatonae, which is known from strata belonging to the Telychian aged Brandon Bridge Formation in Wisconsin. Originally discovered alongside the Waukesha Biota in 1985, this genus wouldn't be properly described until 2024. Currently, this genus is placed within the family Dalmanitidae, within the larger Phacopida, which lasted from the Lower Ordovician to the Upper Devonian.
This genus is rather unique, as it is the only common trilobite found within the Waukesha Biota, and is usually preserved in a more complete state compared to other contemporary genera. Its abundance is also notable, with around 200 or so specimens having been recorded, making it one of the most abundant organisms at the site. This arthropod is so common, that entire planes of rock have been found with dozens of preserved exoskeletons. Its sheer abundance suggests that this trilobite was well adapted to the conditions present in the region. This contrasts with the known taphonomic bias that the Waukesha biota has, where hard shelled organisms are either poorly preserved, or absent entirely. Unlike other members of the dalmanitid family, the pygidium (posterior section) of this genus lacks a terminal spine, instead possessing an embayment which may have helped with respiration when the arthropod was enrolled.