Eusarcana

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Eusarcana
Temporal range: Middle Silurian–Early Devonian, 433–412.3  Ma
Eusarcana scorpionis fossil.png
Fossil of E. scorpionis.
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Order: Eurypterida
Superfamily: Carcinosomatoidea
Family: Carcinosomatidae
Genus: Eusarcana
Strand, 1942
Type species
Eusarcana scorpionis
(Grote & Pitt, 1875)
Species
  • E. acrocephalus(Semper, 1898)
  • E. obesus(Woodward, 1868)
  • E. scorpionis(Grote & Pitt, 1875)
Synonyms
Genus synonymy
  • Eusarcus Grote & Pitt, 1875, preoccupied
  • ParacarcinosomaCaster & Kjellesvig-Waering, 1964
Alternative combinations
  • Eurypterus acrocephalusSemper, 1898
  • Eurypterus obesusWoodward, 1868
  • Carcinosoma acrocephalus(Semper, 1898)
  • Carcinosoma obesus(Woodward, 1868)
  • Carcinosoma scorpionis(Grote & Pitt, 1875)

Eusarcana (meaning "true flesh") is a genus of eurypterid, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. Fossils of Eusarcana have been discovered in deposits ranging in age from the Early Silurian to the Early Devonian. Classified as part of the family Carcinosomatidae, the genus contains three species, E. acrocephalus, E. obesus and E. scorpionis, from the Silurian-Devonian of Scotland, the Czech Republic and the United States respectively.

Contents

Eusarcana is known for its odd proportions and features; the broad abdomen, thin and long tail, spined and forward-facing walking appendages and sharp and curved tail spike differentiate it from most other eurypterids, but are shared with other carcinosomatid eurypterids. The triangular carapace, oddly positioned forward-facing eyes differentiate the genus further from its closest relatives. At 80 centimetres (31.5 in) in length, E. scorpionis represents a moderately large species of eurypterid, and far exceeded other representatives of the genus in size, such as the 4 cm (1.5 in) long E. obesus.

Originally described under the name Eusarcus , this name was preoccupied by a genus of living harvestmen in the family Gonyleptidae. Following the discovery of this homonym, the genus was also wrongly recognized as synonymous with the related Carcinosoma and was only given replacement names for the older name decades after the error was discovered, first as Eusarcana in 1942 and later as Paracarcinosoma (assumed to have been named without knowledge of the earlier replacement name) in 1964.

Description

1912 reconstruction of E. scorpionis. The Eurypterida of New York plate 27.jpg
1912 reconstruction of E. scorpionis.

Eusarcana can be differentiated from other eurypterids by the considerably narrow border between the prosoma (head) and opisthosoma (abdomen), which is particularly thin considering the subsequent broad and large ellipse-shape of the abdomen. The postabdomen (or tail) also narrows rather quickly from the preceding segments. Further features distinctive of the genus include that the carapace (segment covering the head) is clearly triangular in shape, with eyes placed on the rim of it and positioned forwards, the fact that all walking legs possess spines and that they decrease in length the further back they were placed as well as the cylindrically shaped and sharp telson (the posteriormost division of the body). [1]

In comparison with many other eurypterids, Eusarcana was a rather large animal, [1] with the largest species (also the type species) E. scorpionis reaching lengths of 80 cm (31.5 in). In comparison, the species E. obesus was significantly smaller, with the largest specimen only being 4 cm (1.5 in) long. [2]

The appearance of Eusarcana is somewhat odd in comparison with other eurypterids, not only in its overall shape and proportions but also in that the surface of its exoskeleton is covered in small scale-like ornamentation that is circular in shape, crowded and small in size which differentiates it from other eurypterids in which such ornamentation is usually triangular. [1] Overall, Eusarcana is mostly similar in appearance to other carcinosomatid eurypterids, particularly Carcinosoma which shares its forwardly positioned eyes, and is primarily defined by the small degree of spinosity on its second to fifth pair of appendages and its curved telson. [3]

History of research

Original description and subsequent discoveries

Illustration of the type specimen of E. obesus. The Eurypterida of New York figure 53.jpg
Illustration of the type specimen of E. obesus.

Eusarcana was first described as "Eusarcus" by the American geologists August R. Grote and William Henry Pitt based on fossils recovered from the Pridoli-age Buffalo Waterlime of New York State. This name derives from the Ancient Greek εὖ, (eu-) meaning "true", [4] and σάρξ (sarx), meaning "flesh", [5] meaning "true flesh". The designated type species was E. scorpionis. [6] Though Grote and Pitt did not provide a generic diagnosis for the genus, the species was well diagnosed with a number of distinctive characters. Furthermore, the genus of Grote and Pitt was seemingly based solely on outlines and shape, which prompted some researchers, such as the prominent English geologist Henry Woodward, to regard the genus as lacking generic characters and as such being invalid, referring E. scorpionis to Eurypterus on the grounds that several British species of Eurypterus, notably E. scorpiodes and E. punctatus (today recognized as species of Carcinosoma), were similar in shape. [1]

Unbeknownst to Grote and Pitt, Eusarcus had already been named as a genus of extant (currently living) laniatorid harvestmen of the family Gonyleptidae, in 1833 and as such constituted a preoccupied name. The preoccupied nature of the name was not immediately recognized, and it continued to be used for eurypterid species described in the late 19th to early 20th centuries. [6]

In 1912, American paleontologists John Mason Clarke & Rudolf Ruedemann declared that the differences between Eusarcus and all related forms of eurypterids were so great that it was "entirely evident" that Eusarcus was distinct from other eurypterids. They referred the Scottish Wenlock-age Eurypterus species E. obesus (described by English geologist Henry Woodward in 1868) to the genus, alongside the Pridoli-Lochkovian-age Czech species E. acrocephalus (described by Austrian paleontologist Max Semper in 1898) on the grounds of both possessing triangular carapaces similar to E. scorpionis as well as an abruptly narrowing postabdomen. [1] Furthermore, Clarke and Ruedemann concluded that Eusarcus was sufficiently similar to the related Carcinosoma to be designated as synonymous with it. As Eusarcus had been named earlier than Carcinosoma, the taxonomical laws of priority dictated that Eusarcus would be the name of the taxon. [1] [6]

E. acrocephalus (sometimes referred to erroneously as "E. acrocephala") can be distinguished from the other two species by the strongly recurved lateral sides of its carapace, the oval mesosoma and the first segment of the metasoma being unusually wide and short for the genus. The holotype of E. acrocephalus, UW 1906/V/2 discovered in the Požáry Formation of the Czech Republic, is composed of the carapace and a partial abdomen, portions of which were broken off during bombing runs on Prague during the Second World War, during which the National Museum of Prague was damaged. [3]

The obesity of the opisthosomal (abdominal) segments in E. obesus is its most remarkable feature (and is also what lends the species its name), the fourth segment is as wide as the first eight segments combined are long. The surface of the exoskeleton of the carapace and the segments is thin and seemingly lacks ornamentation. [7] In 2014, American paleontologist James Lamsdell suggested that E. obesus may represent a juvenile of the related and contemporary Carcinosoma scorpioides. [8] Unlike other species of Eusarcana, E. obesus does not appear to possess spines on its appendages. [9]

Recognition as preoccupied name

It was first in 1934, 59 years after its original description, that Eusarcus was recognized as a name preoccupied by a harvestman. The Norwegian geologist Leif Størmer proposed that the name of the taxon should be next oldest available and valid name for the genus, Carcinosoma. During the preparation for his paper on the issue, Størmer also discussed the situation with fellow Norwegian researcher Embrik Strand, who helped confirm that Carcinosoma was not preoccupied. [6]

Strand would subsequently propose the replacement name Eusarcana in 1942, despite the problem having been dealt with by Størmer, who he had been in contact with eight years earlier. The reasons for proposing the name during the circumstances of the time remains unknown, but contemporary researchers critiquing Strand for his studies in systematics and an apparent desire to name as many taxa as possible may explain the situation somewhat. As it was seen as completely unnecessary at the time, Strand's Eusarcana was overlooked and not even mentioned in subsequent eurypterid studies. [6] The naming of Eusarcana was one of many contributions to nomenclature by Strand seen as unhelpful today. His journal Folia Zoologica et Hydrobiologica would later re-emerge within the field to create all kinds of systematic problems that could have been avoided. Strand was also notorious for applying new species names to incomplete or poorly preserved fossils. [6]

In 1964, American paleontologists Kenneth Edward Caster and Erik N. Kjellesvig-Waering recognized Eusarcus and Carcinosoma to be distinct genera when revising the superfamily Carcinosomatoidea, and coined the replacement name Paracarcinosoma to designate the species previously assigned to Eusarcus. E. scorpionis was designated the type species. Caster and Kjellesvig-Waering made no mention of Embrik Strand or Eusarcana, and they were likely not aware of the existence of the previous name. With Eusarcana all but forgotten, all subsequent researchers used Paracarcinosoma for the genus. [6]

In 2012, American paleontologists Jason A. Dunlop and James Lamsdell noted that whilst the name Eusarcana had been completely unnecessary (and of questionable validity, as Strand did not designate a type species) at the time of its creation, it is the oldest available valid name for the taxon and as such should constitute its name under the rules of priority, despite Paracarcinosoma being more widely used. As such, Paracarcinosoma was designated as a junior synonym, with all three species assigned to it being transferred to Eusarcana. [6]

Classification

Restoration of Carcinosoma newlini, a related carcinosomatid species Carcinosoma newlini.png
Restoration of Carcinosoma newlini , a related carcinosomatid species

Eusarcana is classified as part of the family Carcinosomatidae, a family within the superfamily Carcinosomatoidea, alongside the genera Carcinosoma, Eocarcinosoma , Rhinocarcinosoma [10] and possibly Holmipterus . [11] The cladogram below is adapted from a larger cladogram (simplified to only display the Carcinosomatoidea) in a 2007 study by eurypterid researcher O. Erik Tetlie, in turn based on results from various phylogenetic analyses on eurypterids conducted between 2004 and 2007. [12] The second cladogram below is simplified from a study by Lamsdell et al. (2015). [11]

Paleobiology

The size of E. scorpionis, the largest and best known species of Eusarcana, compared to a human. Eusarcana Size.svg
The size of E. scorpionis, the largest and best known species of Eusarcana, compared to a human.

The features of Eusarcana indicate that its lifestyle was completely different from many other swimming eurypterids, such as Eurypterus. When walking, Eusarcana would likely have lifted the eye-bearing frontal part of its head above the ground, as indicated by the larger size of the forward walking legs and the placement of the eyes. In contrast, Eurypterus would have kept its head, shovel-shaped and broad, down to the ground while walking. Furthermore, the walking legs of Eusarcana are more powerful than those of Eurypterus in general. The legs decrease in strength the further back they are, indicating that there was an emphasis on lifting the front of the carapace. In Eurypterus the legs are the longest the further back they are, which indicates that it would have had an emphasis on keeping the head down. [1]

The swimming legs of Eusarcana were powerfully developed, with paddles both longer and broader than those of Eurypterus, which corresponds to the fact that Eusarcana was a broader and heavier genus of eurypterids. [1]

Tail spike

Fossil specimen of E. scorpionis with intact tail spike. The Eurypterida of New York plate 32.jpg
Fossil specimen of E. scorpionis with intact tail spike.

In the Pridoli-age Buffalo waterlime fauna where E. scorpionis lived, it represented one of the larger members of the ecosystem, being at least half as long as the larger predatory eurypterids of the genus Pterygotus . With Eusarcana not having large and powerful pincers like the larger pterygotid eurypterids, which not only represented potential competitors but also dangerous predators, the only obvious organ it could use for defense was the pointed and sharp tail spike. [1]

The narrowed tail is so long and extended that it exceeds the principal parts of the body, the head and abdomen, in length. The fact that the tail has been preserved as curved in several fossil specimens proves that it would have been flexible in life, with the apparent curvature of the spike on its end making it a dangerous weapon. If curved forwards over the rest of the body, the spike would be positioned with its point turned upwards, effectively acting similar to a scimitar. [1]

The similarity between the spike of Eusarcana and that of scorpions opens up the possibility that the tail spike might possibly have possessed poison glands. Though the state in which the specimens have been preserved does not allow determination of either the absence or presence of a poison canal or pores for transferring the venom to potential victims, the shape of Eusarcana suggests that it was a rather slow and inactive animal that was not very agile, possibly adapted for burrowing or ambush predation. In such a lifestyle, a venomous and agile tail spike would greatly aid in securing prey and defense in absence of other prehensile and powerful organs with long reach. [1]

Ecology

Restoration model of a Eusarcana in a Silurian seafloor, along with other eurypterids and animals Diorama of a Silurian seafloor - eurypterids (sea scorpions), algae, phyllocarids, coiled cephalopod eating a eurypterid 1 (44804782745).jpg
Restoration model of a Eusarcana in a Silurian seafloor, along with other eurypterids and animals

As a considerable majority of described eurypterid species are known from the Silurian, particularly the late Silurian, researchers have concluded that the group peaked in diversity and number during this time. [13] Complex eurypterid faunas, compromising several different species in different ecological roles, are typical of the period. [12] All species of Eusarcana described so far occur together with other eurypterid species. E. acrocephalus is known from both the Silurian and the Devonian of the Czech Republic, with a somewhat apparent difference in other fauna depending on the time period. Devonian E. acrocephalus occur together with other eurypterids Slimonia , Pterygotus and Acutiramus as well as with various trilobites (including Crotalocephalina , Otarion , Warburgella , Proetus , Tropidocare , Leonaspis and Ceratocephala ), crustaceans (including Ceratiocaris and Aristozoe ), ostracods, conodonts, gastropods and crinoids. [14] The Silurian-aged fauna of the same general area, also preserving E. acrocephalus, were home to other eurypterids Erettopterus , Pterygotus and Acutiramus, a less diverse assemblage of trilobites (Otarion, Scharyia and Prionopeltis ), crustacean Ceratiocaris, cephalopods (including Cycloceras and Corbuloceras ), ostracods, gastropods, crinoids, conodonts and bivalves. [15]

Silurian E. obesus from the United Kingdom lived in a marine environment also home to other eurypterids Nanahughmilleria , Pterygotus, Slimonia, Carcinosoma, Parastylonurus and Erettopterus as well as phyllocarid crustaceans, xiphosurans, gastropods and anaspid fish Birkenia . [16] In Silurian deposits of New York, E. scorpionis occurs together with a diverse fauna of eurypterids composed of Buffalopterus , Dolichopterus , Erettopterus, Eurypterus , Pterygotus and Acutiramus. Also present were xiphosurans, crustaceans ( Gonatocaris ), ostracods, bivalves, gastropods and cephalopods. [17] Carcinosomatid eurypterids such as Eusarcana were among the most marine eurypterids, [18] known from deposits that were once reefs, some in lagoonal settings, [19] and deeper waters. [20]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurypterid</span> Order of arthropods (fossil)

Eurypterids, often informally called sea scorpions, are a group of extinct arthropods that form the order Eurypterida. The earliest known eurypterids date to the Darriwilian stage of the Ordovician period 467.3 million years ago. The group is likely to have appeared first either during the Early Ordovician or Late Cambrian period. With approximately 250 species, the Eurypterida is the most diverse Paleozoic chelicerate order. Following their appearance during the Ordovician, eurypterids became major components of marine faunas during the Silurian, from which the majority of eurypterid species have been described. The Silurian genus Eurypterus accounts for more than 90% of all known eurypterid specimens. Though the group continued to diversify during the subsequent Devonian period, the eurypterids were heavily affected by the Late Devonian extinction event. They declined in numbers and diversity until becoming extinct during the Permian–Triassic extinction event 251.9 million years ago.

<i>Eurypterus</i> Extinct genus of sea scorpions

Eurypterus is an extinct genus of eurypterid, a group of organisms commonly called "sea scorpions". The genus lived during the Silurian period, from around 432 to 418 million years ago. Eurypterus is by far the most well-studied and well-known eurypterid. Eurypterus fossil specimens probably represent more than 95% of all known eurypterid specimens.

<i>Pterygotus</i> Extinct genus of eurypterid

Pterygotus is a genus of giant predatory eurypterid, a group of extinct aquatic arthropods. Fossils of Pterygotus have been discovered in deposits ranging in age from Middle Silurian to Late Devonian, and have been referred to several different species. Fossils have been recovered from four continents; Australia, Europe, North America and South America, which indicates that Pterygotus might have had a nearly cosmopolitan (worldwide) distribution. The type species, P. anglicus, was described by Swiss naturalist Louis Agassiz in 1839, who gave it the name Pterygotus, meaning "winged one". Agassiz mistakenly believed the remains were of a giant fish; he would only realize the mistake five years later in 1844.

<i>Hibbertopterus</i> Extinct genus of arthropods

Hibbertopterus is a genus of eurypterid, a group of extinct aquatic arthropods. Fossils of Hibbertopterus have been discovered in deposits ranging from the Devonian period in Belgium, Scotland and the United States to the Carboniferous period in Scotland, Ireland, the Czech Republic and South Africa. The type species, H. scouleri, was first named as a species of the significantly different Eurypterus by Samuel Hibbert in 1836. The generic name Hibbertopterus, coined more than a century later, combines his name and the Greek word πτερόν (pteron) meaning "wing".

<i>Slimonia</i> Extinct genus of arthropods

Slimonia is a genus of eurypterid, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. Fossils of Slimonia have been discovered in deposits of Silurian age in South America and Europe. Classified as part of the family Slimonidae alongside the related Salteropterus, the genus contains three valid species, S. acuminata from Lesmahagow, Scotland, S. boliviana from Cochabamba, Bolivia and S. dubia from the Pentland Hills of Scotland and one dubious species, S. stylops, from Herefordshire, England. The generic name is derived from and honors Robert Slimon, a fossil collector and surgeon from Lesmahagow.

<i>Carcinosoma</i> Extinct genus of arthropods

Carcinosoma is a genus of eurypterid, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. Fossils of Carcinosoma are restricted to deposits of late Silurian age. Classified as part of the family Carcinosomatidae, which the genus lends its name to, Carcinosoma contains seven species from North America and Great Britain.

<i>Hughmilleria</i> Genus of extinct arthropods

Hughmilleria is a genus of eurypterid, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. Fossils of Hughmilleria have been discovered in deposits of the Silurian age in China and the United States. Classified as part of the basal family Hughmilleriidae, the genus contains three species, H. shawangunk from the eastern United States, H. socialis from Pittsford, New York, and H. wangi from Hunan, China. The genus is named in honor of the Scottish geologist Hugh Miller.

<i>Onychopterella</i> Extinct genus of arthropods

Onychopterella is a genus of predatory eurypterid, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. Fossils of Onychopterella have been discovered in deposits from the Late Ordovician to the Late Silurian. The genus contains three species: O. kokomoensis, the type species, from the Early Pridoli epoch of Indiana; O. pumilus, from the Early Llandovery epoch of Illinois, both from the United States; and O. augusti, from the Late Hirnantian to Early Rhuddanian stages of South Africa.

Salteropterus is a genus of eurypterid, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. Fossils of Salteropterus have been discovered in deposits of Late Silurian age in Britain. Classified as part of the family Slimonidae, the genus contains one known valid species, S. abbreviatus, which is known from fossils discovered in Herefordshire, England, and a dubious species, S. longilabium, with fossils discovered in Leintwardine, also in Herefordshire. The generic name honours John William Salter, who originally described S. abbreviatus as a species of Eurypterus in 1859.

<i>Tylopterella</i> Extinct genus of arthropods

Tylopterella is a genus of eurypterid, a group of extinct aquatic arthropods. Only one fossil of the single and type species, T. boylei, has been discovered in deposits of the Late Silurian period in Elora, Canada. The name of the genus is composed by the Ancient Greek words τύλη, meaning "knot", and πτερόν, meaning "wing". The species name boylei honors David Boyle, who discovered the specimen of Tylopterella.

<i>Erettopterus</i> Extinct genus of arthropods

Erettopterus is a genus of large predatory eurypterid, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. Fossils of Erettopterus have been discovered in deposits ranging from Early Silurian to the Early Devonian, and have been referred to several different species. Fossils have been recovered from two continents; Europe and North America. The genus name is composed by the Ancient Greek words ἐρέττω (eréttō), which means "rower", and πτερόν (pterón), which means "wing", and therefore, "rower wing".

<i>Eocarcinosoma</i> Extinct genus of arthropods

Eocarcinosoma is a genus of eurypterid, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. The type and only species of Eocarcinosoma, E. batrachophthalmus, is known from deposits of Late Ordovician age in the United States. The generic name is derived from the related genus Carcinosoma, and the Greek eós meaning 'dawn', referring to the earlier age of the genus compared to other carcinosomatid eurypterids.

<i>Rhinocarcinosoma</i> Extinct genus of eurypterids

Rhinocarcinosoma is a genus of eurypterid, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. Fossils of Rhinocarcinosoma have been discovered in deposits ranging of Late Silurian age in the United States, Canada and Vietnam. The genus contains three species, the American R. cicerops and R. vaningeni and the Vietnamese R. dosonensis. The generic name is derived from the related genus Carcinosoma, and the Greek ῥινός, referring to the unusual shovel-shaped protrusion on the front of the carapace of Rhinocarcinosoma, its most distinctive feature.

<i>Unionopterus</i> Genus of eurypterid

Unionopterus is a genus of eurypterid, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods commonly known as "sea scorpions". Fossils have been registered from the Early Carboniferous period. The genus contains only one species, U. anastasiae, recovered from deposits of Tournaisian to Viséan stages in Kazakhstan. Known from one single specimen which was described in a publication of Russian language with poor illustrations, Unionopterus' affinities are extremely poorly known.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carcinosomatidae</span> Extinct family of arthropods

Carcinosomatidae is a family of eurypterids, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. They were members of the superfamily Carcinosomatoidea, also named after Carcinosoma. Fossils of carcinosomatids have been found in North America, Europe and Asia, the family possibly having achieved a worldwide distribution, and range in age from the Late Ordovician to the Early Devonian. They were among the most marine eurypterids, known almost entirely from marine environments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pterygotioidea</span> Extinct superfamily of eurypterids

Pterygotioidea is a superfamily of eurypterids, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. Pterygotioids were the most derived members of the infraorder Diploperculata and the sister group of the adelophthalmoid eurypterids. The group includes the basal and small hughmilleriids, the larger and specialized slimonids and the famous pterygotids which were equipped with robust and powerful cheliceral claws.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eurypterina</span> Suborder of eurypterid

Eurypterina is one of two suborders of eurypterids, an extinct group of chelicerate arthropods commonly known as "sea scorpions". Eurypterine eurypterids are sometimes informally known as "swimming eurypterids". They are known from fossil deposits worldwide, though primarily in North America and Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hughmilleriidae</span> Extinct family of eurypterids

Hughmilleriidae is a family of eurypterids, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. The hughmilleriids were the most basal members of the superfamily Pterygotioidea, in contrast with the more derived families Pterygotidae and Slimonidae. Despite their classification as pterygotioids, the hughmilleriids possessed several characteristics shared with other eurypterid groups, such as the lanceolate telson.

<i>Eysyslopterus</i> Extinct genus of arthropods

Eysyslopterus is a genus of eurypterid, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. Eysyslopterus is classified as part of the family Adelophthalmidae, the only clade within the derived ("advanced") Adelophthalmoidea superfamily of eurypterids. One fossil of the single and type species, E. patteni, has been discovered in deposits of the Late Silurian period in Saaremaa, Estonia. The genus is named after Eysysla, the Viking name for Saaremaa, and opterus, a traditional suffix for the eurypterid genera, meaning "wing". The species name honors William Patten, an American biologist and zoologist who discovered the only known fossil of Eysyslopterus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timeline of eurypterid research</span>

This timeline of eurypterid research is a chronologically ordered list of important fossil discoveries, controversies of interpretation, and taxonomic revisions of eurypterids, a group of extinct aquatic arthropods closely related to modern arachnids and horseshoe crabs that lived during the Paleozoic Era.

References

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  9. Laurie, Malcolm (1900). "XIX.—On a Silurian Scorpion and some additional Eurypterid Remains from the Pentland Hills". Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. 39 (3): 575–590. doi:10.1017/S0080456800035109. S2CID   163565981.
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