Organism · Arthropods
Eurypterus remipes
Source time context (not species duration) · ≈ 443–420 Ma
Inferred life reconstruction
Eurypterus remipes
Overview
Eurypterus remipes is an extinct arthropod with broad swimming appendages and a body made up of many segments. It offers a view of the chelicerate group known as sea scorpions. The front body region and the repeated segments extending behind it stand out.[1]
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Key facts
The broadly expanded appendages differ in shape from the other legs. The PRI guide describes these swimming appendages and the segments behind the front body region. It is fascinating to compare different appendage shapes on the same animal.[1]
Time and place
It is studied from Silurian fossils. The Silurian spans roughly 440–420 million years ago. PRI's specimen account and explanation of chelicerates provide a way to examine the body of this ancient arthropod.[1][2]
The time range describes source context, not the complete duration of this species.
Size, form and skeleton
A succession of segments extends behind the front body region, and broad swimming appendages are present. PRI50646 is a specimen used to introduce this animal. Its major body regions and the expanded portions of its appendages can be examined separately.[1]
Specimen PRI 70770 from New York State is about 12.5 cm long, excluding the surrounding rock.[3]
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Habitat and reproduction
The paddle-shaped appendages invite comparisons of structures used to move in water. The other anterior appendages and the body toward the tail can be examined as well. Together they reveal an ancient chelicerate whose body parts had different forms.[1]
Fossil discovery
PRI's digital guide to ancient life presents chelicerate anatomy alongside Eurypterus specimens. This approach compares the form of one specimen with that of a broader group. It helps us get to know an unfamiliar fossil animal part by part.[1]
References
Research questions
How do chelicerate front body regions and appendages take different forms? Compare the broad swimming appendages, the appendages ahead of them and the repeated segments of the rear body. Examining the body's overall organization, rather than just one part, is an important starting point.[1]
Observation
Move your gaze from the front body region to the broad swimming appendages, then follow the segments toward the rear. Separating the front and rear regions and noting differences between appendages makes the elongated body easier to understand.[1]
Related organisms
Adelophthalmus granosusArthropodsSource time context (not species duration) · ≈ 359–299 MaDifferent body forms among sea scorpions
Explore the bodies and living contexts of Eurypterus and Adelophthalmus granosus together. Eurypterus: Eurypterus remipes is an extinct arthropod with broad swimming appendages and a body made up of many segments. It offers a view of the chelicerate group known as sea scorpions. Adelophthalmus granosus: Adelophthalmus granosus is a Late Carboniferous sea scorpion known from several posterior body segments. The type specimen preserves the rear of the anterior carapace and the segments extending behind it.