Megalograptidae

Megalograptidae
Temporal range: Ordovician
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Order: Eurypterida
Suborder: Eurypterina
Superfamily: Megalograptoidea
Family: Megalograptidae
Caster & Kjellesvig-Waering, 1955
Species

See text

Megalograptidae is an extinct family of eurypterids.

Description

Megalograptids are characterized by large exoskeletons with ovate to triangular scales. The prosoma (head) is subquadrate, with a tonguelike anterior process bearing marginal spines, and compound eyes on the top front of the head. The chelicerae (claws in front of the mouth) are small and short. The first and third pairs of walking legs are short, with diverging or closely spaced spines. The second pair of walking legs is enormously developed, with long paired spines. The fourth pair of walking legs are nearly spineless. The preabdomen, the front portion of the body, is narrow with axial furrows, while the postabdomen is moderately narrow with broad, flat and curved appendages on the last body segment. The telson is short and lanceolate.[1]

Genera

See also

References

  1. Størmer, L 1955. Merostomata. Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology, Part P Arthropoda 2, Chelicerata, P36.
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