Proscorpius

Proscorpius
Temporal range: Wenlock-Lochkovian, 422.9–416.0 Ma
Drawing of the type specimen.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: †Proscorpiidae
Genus: †Proscorpius
Whitfield, 1885[1]
Type species
†Proscorpius osborni
(Whitfield, 1885)[1]
Synonyms
  • Archaeophonus eurypteroides Kjellesvig-Waering, 1966
  • Stoermeroscorpio delicatus Kjellesvig-Waering, 1966

Proscorpius (meaning 'dawn scorpion') is an extinct genus of proscorpiid scorpion that was originally thought to have been a eurypterid.[2] Proscorpius lived during the Silurian and Devonian periods (about 422.9–416.0 ma). The type and only species, Proscorpius osborni is an example of one of the earliest scorpions. It was discovered in the Lagerstätte Bertie Formation (Fiddlers Green Member);[3] an epifaunal stratum of New York.[4] The fossil measures roughly 3.8 cm (1.5 inches) in length, however, it is missing part of the tail, so in life the animal would be slightly longer.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Whitfield, R. P. (31 July 1885). "An American Silurian Scorpion". Science. ns-6 (130): 87–88. Bibcode:1885Sci.....6...87W. doi:10.1126/science.ns-6.130.87. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 17808848.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference DunlPennJeke19 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Passage Gulf at Fossilworks.org
  4. ^ Andrew Jeram (June 16, 1990). "When scorpions ruled the world". New Scientist.