Paleozoo Eurypterus

[Paleozoo]

Eurypterus - a Paleozoo evolutionary model

The Silurian Period (444 - 416 mya) was the time of the great sea scorpion arthropods.
With their semicircular head shields and broad paddle-like hind legs, Eurypteridae were some of the
most distinctive creatures to roam the ancient shallow seas. Like other arthropods, they had excellent
sight with large crescent shaped compound eyes that would have provided a wide field of vision.

https://youtu.be/AT2H0NMZQJs

Eurypteridae didn't have jaws but instead had pincers called chelicerae that would have been
used to dissect prey into pieces small enough to pass into the mouth opening. In some species these
chelicerae became quite large and formidable, looking very much like the pincers of modern scorpions.

Eurypteridae were multi-segmented and would have been quite flexible with a sharply spined tail (telson).
The distinctive broad hind legs may have allowed for some limited crawling or upward leverage motion,
but they would have been much more useful as swimming appendages enabling the Eurypteridae to row
or aquaplane through the water column.

It is still a matter of debate whether Eurypterus was a scavenger or predator but, at the very
least, being armed and mobile with keen eyesight, it would have been formidable in defence.

Paleozoo aims to provide an outline of Palaeozoic evolution - expressed in a series of short
animations and a collection of museum-grade lifeform models.

Further information and models available for sale at Paleozoo.com.au