Merostomata Collection

Aspidonia, historical artwork, 1899
Aspidonia organisms. Historical artwork of Aspidonia organisms, a now invalid name for a grouping of the classes Merostomata and Trilobita

Eurypterus, a fossil eurypterid
The paddles used for swimming are very conspicuous in the Silurian eurypterid Eurypterus from New York State. This individual measures 12 cm in length

Silurian merostomata or sea scorpions.. Woodcut engraving from H. N. Hutchinsons Extinct Monsters and Creatures of Other Days, Chapman and Hall, London, 1894

Eurypterus tetragonophthalmus, Silurian of Europe

Pterygotus sea scorpion from the Paleozoic Era
Pterygotus was a predatory sea scorpion that lived all over the world from the Silurian to Devonian Eras

Fossilised Mesolimulus
This fossil, Mesolimulus, a horseshoe crab, is an impressive 40 centimetres long. Preserved in the fine mud of a lagoon in Solenhofen, Germany, about 150 million years ago

Mesolimulus, a fossil horseshoe crab
The Jurassic horseshoe crab Mesolimulus, 17 cm long, from the famous fossil locality of Solnhofen in Bavaria, Germany

Eurypterius lacustris, sea scorpion
This Devonian sea scorpion is preserved in fine siltstone and is from Canada. These predatory aquatic arthropods had a segemented, body large eyes and strong claws

Pterygotus anglicus, giant water scorpion

Crab - Horseshoe (Limulus polyphemus) on mud

Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) Underside of female/Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA

Fossil of a sea scorpion, Eurypterus remipes, from the late Siliurian period (about 400 million years ago). Sea scorpions were aquatic arthropods which became extinct in the Permian period

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"Unveiling the Ancient Sea Scorpions: Merostomata in Aspidonia's Historical Artwork, 1899" Step back in time and explore the fascinating world of Merostomata, commonly known as sea scorpions. Aspidonia's historical artwork from 1899 takes us on a journey through their prehistoric existence. Among these ancient creatures is Eurypterus, a fossil eurypterid that roamed the oceans during the Silurian period. With its elongated body and menacing pincers, it was truly a formidable predator of its time. The Silurian merostomata or sea scorpions also included Pterygotus, another giant water scorpion from the Paleozoic Era. Its massive size and sharp appendages made it one of the dominant predators in ancient seas. Eurypterus tetragonophthalmus, found in Europe during the Silurian period, showcases intricate details preserved over millions of years. These fossils provide valuable insights into their anatomy and behavior. Mesolimulus, a fossil horseshoe crab discovered through fossilization processes, offers glimpses into an evolutionary link between modern-day arthropods and their ancient counterparts. Not to be forgotten is Eurypterius lacustris – a sea scorpion that thrived in freshwater environments. Its adaptation to different habitats highlights their remarkable resilience throughout history. Lastly, we encounter Pterygotus anglicus – yet another giant water scorpion from the Paleozoic Era. This colossal creature ruled both land and water with its powerful limbs and predatory instincts. As we marvel at these extraordinary creatures captured within fossils and depicted by Aspidonia's artistic renderings from 1899, we gain appreciation for Earth's rich natural history. The story continues to unfold as scientists uncover more secrets hidden deep within our planet's past.