Eurypterus
remipes
The eurypterids, or sea scorpions, are an extinct
group of chelicerate arthropods. They have an elongated, scorpion-like
body that could reach enormous sizes (2.5 to 3 meters!), with a
nonmineralizing exoskeleton composed of chitinous material. They are
generally found in shallow to very shallow water marine and marginal marine
facies.
Eurypterus remipes DeKay, 1825 is a classic example of this bizarre
group of creatures. It, and other eurypterid species, is well represented
in the famous Bertie Dolomite of New York State, USA.
Classification: Animalia, Arthropoda, Chelicerata, Merostomata,
Xiphosura, Eurypterida, Eurypteridae
Stratigraphy: Phelps Member, Fiddlers Green Formation, Bertie Dolomite Group, Upper
Silurian.
Locality:
Allan Lang Quarry, southern Herkimer County, New York State, USA.
Eurypterus remipes DeKay, 1825 partial specimen (11.7 cm long) in
fine-grained dolostone, lacking preabdomen and most of postabdomen.
Eurypterus remipes DeKay, 1825 - closeup of head (prosoma) showing four
walking appendages (labeled below) and swimming appendages with paddles at
distal ends (7.5 cm across).
Eurypterus remipes DeKay, 1825 - closeup of 3rd walking appendage on
specimen shown above (1.15 cm long).
Eurypterus remipes DeKay, 1825 partial specimen (12.5 cm long) in
fine-grained dolostone, lacking paddles (distal ends of swimming appendages),
pretelson & telson (posterior end of the body). The last four
segments are part of the postabdomen. The seven segments anterior
to that make up the preabdomen.