Pterygotus: Research Database
Eurypterida (Chelicerata) · Silurian-Devonian (~425–400 MYA) · Global (Marine)
Research Note: Pterygotus was a large eurypterid (sea scorpion) from the Silurian and Devonian periods. As one of the largest known arthropods, it provides important data on eurypterid evolution and Paleozoic marine ecosystems.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Ruedemann 1934: Pterygotus and eurypterid diversity in the Silurian of North America
Ruedemann 1934 provides foundational data on Pterygotus from the Silurian, establishing it as a large eurypterid and documenting its significance for understanding eurypterid diversity and the evolution of large arthropods
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Confirmed | A | 1934 | Fossil | Ruedemann, Annals of the Carnegie Museum | Taxonomy |
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Poschmann 2020: Pterygotus and eurypterid paleoecology in the Devonian of Europe
Poschmann 2020 provides additional data on eurypterid paleoecology from the Devonian of Europe, contextualising Pterygotus within the broader evolutionary history of eurypterids
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Confirmed | B | 2020 | Fossil | Poschmann, Paläontologische Zeitschrift | Ecology |
Active Debate: Eurypterid Phylogeny and the Evolution of Large Body Size in Arthropods
Whether eurypterids are more closely related to scorpions or horseshoe crabs is debated.
What We Still Do Not Know About Pterygotus
- Complete morphology: Well known.
- Swimming mechanics: Studied.
- Diet: Likely predatory.
- Social behavior: No direct evidence.
In Depth
As the second largest known eurypterid, Pterygotus remains have been recovered from the world over suggesting that it was a highly successful predator. Pterygotus had four compound eyes with two smaller ones on top of the head and two larger ones at the front. This would have given Pterygotus exceptionally good vision for its time with a potentially good degree of depth perception as can be seen in jumping spiders today.
Pterygotus could use its paddle like appendages for swimming but could also move its tail for propulsion, perhaps to provide an extra burst of speed when attacking prey. It probably would have focused its attention on other arthropods such as trilobites which would have been very common at the time.
Numerous species have been attributed to Pterygotus, but some have been questioned. The above species mentioned are generally accepted, but may not feature all.
Further Reading
– Merostomata. Part P Arthropoda 2, Chelicerata. Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. pp. 30–31. – Leif Stromer – 1955. – Pterygotus anglicus Agassiz (Chelicerata: Eurypterida) from Atholville, Lower Devonian Campbellton Formation, New Brunswick, Canada. – Palaeontology 50 (4): 981–999. – Randall F. Miller – 2007. – All the better to see you with: eyes and claws reveal the evolution of divergent ecological roles in giant pterygotid eurypterids”. Biology Letters. 11 (8). – Victoria E. McCoy, James C. Lamsdell, Markus Poschmann, Ross P. Anderson & Derek E. G. Briggs – 2015.
