Brontoscorpio Temporal range: Lochkovian
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Size estimation of Brontoscorpio anglicus, with the only evident region (free finger of right pedipalp) highlighted in dark grey | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Scorpiones |
Family: | incertae sedis |
Genus: | †Brontoscorpio Kjellesvig-Waering, 1972 |
Species: | †B. anglicus
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Binomial name | |
†Brontoscorpio anglicus Kjellesvig-Waering, 1972
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Brontoscorpio is an extinct genus of scorpion that lived in the Early Devonian. Remains of the only known species, Brontoscorpio anglicus, were discovered in the St. Maughan's Formation,[1][2] Lochkovian-aged (previously also considered as late Silurian)[3] sandstone from Trimpley, Worcestershire.[3] The species was described on the basis of an incomplete single free finger of a right pedipalp (In31405), almost 10 cm (3.9 in) long.[3][4] The complete animal is estimated to have been 77.2–91.5 cm (2.5–3.0 ft) long for females and 86.2–94 cm (2.8–3.1 ft) long for males,[3] making Brontoscorpio one of the largest known scorpions. The species is characterized by the presence of single condyle and row of thick tubercles on the pedipalp free finger.[3]