Waeringopteridae Temporal range: Late Ordovician - Early Devonian, | |
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Orcanopterus | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Order: | † Eurypterida |
Suborder: | † Eurypterina |
Infraorder: | † Diploperculata |
Superfamily: | † Waeringopteroidea Tetlie, 2004 Not formally published |
Family: | † Waeringopteridae Tetlie, 2004 Not formally published |
Type species | |
† Waeringopterus cumberlandicus Swartz, 1923 | |
Genera | |
Synonyms | |
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Waeringopteridae is a family of eurypterids, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. The Waeringopteridae is the only family classified as part of the superfamily Waeringopteroidea, which in turn is classified within the infraorder Diploperculata in the suborder Eurypterina. The earliest known member of the group, Orcanopterus , has been recovered from deposits of Katian (Late Ordovician) age and the latest known surviving member, Grossopterus , has been recovered from deposits of Siegenian (Early Devonian) age. The name Waeringopteridae is derived from the type genus Waeringopterus , which is named in honor of eurypterid researcher Erik N. Kjellesvig-Waering.
Waeringopterid fossils are very rare and the family only contains five known species classified in three different genera (Waeringopterus, Orcanopterus and Grossopterus). Four of these species are from the ancient continent of Laurentia, with the only species known from outside of it being a Devonian species recovered from Germany. It is thus considered likely that the group originated in Laurentia before spreading to Germany during the Devonian. As the fossil record of the group is extremely poor, little is known of the morphology of the taxa within the group.
Although confirmed by phylogenetic analyses as monophyletic, and routinely used within eurypterid taxonomy, [1] [2] [3] "Waeringopteroidea" and "Waeringopteridae" are as of yet not formally published clades, the names instead deriving from a 2004 thesis by O. Erik Tetlie. Some researchers refer to the group more formally as the "waeringopteroid clade" rather than as the superfamily "Waeringopteroidea", pending a formal publication. [4]
Although waeringopterid fossils remain rare and in most cases fragmentary and very little concrete information on the group can confidently be established due to the poor fossil record, [1] the waeringopterid eurypterids are joined by a handful of known features shared by all genera within the group. [5]
Like all other chelicerates, and other arthropods in general, waeringopterid eurypterids possessed segmented bodies and jointed appendages (limbs) covered in a cuticle composed of proteins and chitin. The chelicerate body is divided into two tagmata (sections); the frontal prosoma (head) and posterior opisthosoma (abdomen). In the waeringopterids, the fifth pair of appendages were spiniferous. The telson (the posteriormost segment of the body) was xiphous[ check spelling ] (long and pointed). The eyes of waeringopterid eurypterids were located close to the marginal rim of the carapace (the "head" plate). [5]
The waeringopterids were almost all small eurypterids. Waeringopterus cumberlandicus reached 15 cm (5.9 in) in length, while Grossopterus overathi reached 30 cm (12 in). Orcanopterus manitoulinensis reached 60 cm (24 in) in length. Though this is relatively long in comparison to modern arthropods, other members of Diploperculata, such as the pterygotids or the carcinosomatids, reached much larger sizes, surpassing two meters. [6]
The Waeringopteridae is the only family within the superfamily Waeringopteroidea and contains the genera Grossopterus , Orcanopterus and Waeringopterus . [2] The cladogram below presents the inferred phylogenetic positions of most of the genera included in the three most derived superfamilies of the Eurypterina suborder of eurypterids (Adelophthalmoidea, Pterygotioidea and the waeringopteroids), as inferred by O. Erik Tetlie and Markus Poschmann in 2008, based on the results of a 2008 analysis specifically pertaining to the Adelophthalmoidea and a preceding 2004 analysis. [7]
"Waeringopteridae" and the superfamily that includes it, "Waeringopteroidea" (named after eurypterid researcher Erik N. Kjellesvig-Waering), are not formally published clades. The names derive from a 2004 thesis by O. Erik Tetlie and are as such not actually technically valid names. Nevertheless, as phylogenetic analyses confirms the grouping as monophyletic and the names supply an easy way to refer to the group, they remain routinely used within studies centered around eurypterid taxonomy. In these studies, the names are usually within quotation marks and/or are noted to not be properly valid names that derive from a thesis. [1] [2] [3] The group is also sometimes referred to as the "waeringopteroid clade" rather than as the "Waeringopteroidea" within studies to differentiate it from the properly described superfamilies, pending the formal publication of Waeringopteroidea. [4]
Out of the five known waeringopterid species, four are from the fossil deposits in areas that were part of the ancient continent of Laurentia. Only the last known surviving species, Grossopterus overathi , from the Devonian of Germany, is known from outside of Laurentia and it is thus assumed that the group originated in Laurentia before they spread to modern-day Germany in the Devonian. Further fossil finds are required to properly study the distribution and evolutionary history of the group. [1] The temporal range of the group extends from the Late Ordovician ( Orcanopterus ) to the Early Devonian ( Grossopterus ). [8] [9]
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.
Brachyopterus is a genus of prehistoric eurypterid of the family Rhenopteridae. It is one of the earliest known eurypterids, having been recovered from Middle Ordovician deposits in Montgomeryshire, Wales. Though other species have been assigned to it in the past, Brachyopterus is today recognized as containing one valid species, B. stubblefieldi.
Drepanopterus is an extinct genus of eurypterid and the only member of the family Drepanopteridae within the Mycteropoidea superfamily. There are currently three species assigned to the genus. The genus has historically included more species, with nine species having been associated with the genus Drepanopterus. Five of these have since been proven to be synonyms of pre-existing species, assigned to their own genera, or found to be based on insubstantial fossil data. The holotype of one species proved to be a lithic clast.
Pittsfordipterus is a genus of eurypterid, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. Pittsfordipterus is classified as part of the family Adelophthalmidae, the only clade in the derived ("advanced") Adelophthalmoidea superfamily of eurypterids. Fossils of the single and type species, P. phelpsae, have been discovered in deposits of Silurian age in Pittsford, New York state. The genus is named after Pittsford, where the two only known specimens have been found.
Parahughmilleria is a genus of eurypterid, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. Fossils of Parahughmilleria have been discovered in deposits of the Devonian and Silurian age in the United States, Canada, Russia, Germany, Luxembourg and Great Britain, and have been referred to several different species. The first fossils of Parahughmilleria, discovered in the Shawangunk Mountains in 1907, were initially assigned to Eurypterus. It would not be until 54 years later when Parahughmilleria would be described.
Pterygotidae is a family of eurypterids, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. They were members of the superfamily Pterygotioidea. Pterygotids were the largest known arthropods to have ever lived with some members of the family, such as Jaekelopterus and Acutiramus, exceeding 2 metres (6.6 ft) in length. Their fossilized remains have been recovered in deposits ranging in age from 428 to 372 million years old.
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.
Megalograptidae are a family of eurypterids, an extinct group of chelicerate arthropods commonly known as "sea scorpions".
The Rhenopteridae are a family of eurypterids, an extinct group of chelicerate arthropods commonly known as "sea scorpions". The family is the only family currently contained in the superfamily Rhenopteroidea, one of four superfamilies classified as part of the suborder Stylonurina.
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.
Stylonuroidea is an extinct superfamily of eurypterids, an extinct group of chelicerate arthropods commonly known as "sea scorpions". It is one of four superfamilies classified as part of the suborder Stylonurina.
Adelophthalmidae is a family of eurypterids, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods. Adelophthalmidae is the only family classified as part of the superfamily Adelophthalmoidea, which in turn is classified within the infraorder Diploperculata in the suborder Eurypterina.
Carcinosomatoidea is an extinct superfamily of eurypterids, an extinct group of chelicerate arthropods commonly known as "sea scorpions". It is one of the superfamilies classified as part of the suborder Eurypterina.
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.
Mycteropoidea is an extinct superfamily of eurypterids, an extinct group of chelicerate arthropods commonly known as "sea scorpions". It is one of four superfamilies classified as part of the suborder Stylonurina. Mycteropoids have been recovered from Europe, Russia, South America and South Africa. Mycteropoid specimens are often fragmentary, making it difficult to establish relationships between the included taxa. Only two mycteropoid taxa are known from reasonable complete remains, Hibbertopterus scouleri and H. wittebergensis.
Diploperculata is an infraorder of eurypterids, an extinct group of aquatic arthropods commonly known as "sea scorpions". The name, derived from Greek διπλόω ("double") and operculum, refers to the distinguishing feature that unites the superfamilies included in the group, that the genital operculum is made up of two fused segments.
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.
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.
Borchgrevinkium is an extinct genus of chelicerate arthropod. A fossil of the single and type species, B. taimyrensis, has been discovered in deposits of the Early Devonian period in the Krasnoyarsk Krai, Siberia, Russia. The name of the genus honors Carsten Borchgrevink, an Anglo-Norwegian explorer who participated in many expeditions to Antarctica. Borchgrevinkium represents a poorly known genus whose affinities are uncertain.
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.