Techniques of exuviation in Australian species of the Cambrian trilobiteRedlichia

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Abstract
Three forms of exuviation, involving inversion of exoskeletal elements, are described in three Australian species of the Cambrian trilobite Redlichia: R. forresti (Foord), R. idonea Whitehouse and R. micrograpta Öpik. They are: inversion of the pygidium, in four specimens of R. forresti; inversion of some thoracic segments of R. idonea; and lateral inversion of a free cheek, in single specimens of R. forresti and R. micrograpta. This is the first record of thoracic segment inversion during exuviation in trilobites. Exuviae with inverted exoskeletal elements provide information on the techniques of exuviation, in particular the direction of egression of the postecdysial trilobite from the proecdysial exuvia and also in this genus, the extent of enrolment of the thorax.

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