Emuellidae [SEP] parent taxon
trilobites, with the Olenellina having secondary fused facial sutures. Later, the Emuellidae were placed in their own superfamily (Emuelloidea), recognizing that trilobites lacking facial sutures (i.e. the Olenellina) are the stem group. This was followed by the clustering of the Emuellidae in a new superfamily Ellipsocephaloidea.
Most recently, the Emuellidae are regarded an early branch of the Redlichiina suborder, the closest relatives being the genera "Bigotina", "Abadiella", and the close-knit group of the families Estaingiidae, Ichangiidae and Ellipsocephalidae
segments ("Balcoraciana dailyi"
holds the record for greatest number of thoracic segments in a trilobite species).
Pygidium: A minute, segmented disc.
Taxonomic history.
Fossils now assigned to the Emuellidae were first discovered by Dr. B. Daily, of the Geology Department, University of Adelaide in 1956.
Taxonomic history Position of the Emuellidae within the Redlichiida.
Originally, the Emuellidae were described as part of the Redlichiina. The primitive features prompted the theory that the Emuellids actually represented the stem group of all