Arthropleuridea
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Arthropleurida |
Arthropleuridea was a class of arthropods that flourished during the Carboniferous period. Members are defined by diplosomy, paranotal tergal lobes separated from the axis by a suture, and by sclerotized plates buttressing the leg insertions. Despite their unique features, recent phylogenetic research suggests that Arthropleuridea may be included among millipedes.[1] The class contains three recognized orders, each with a single genus.[2]
Arthropleuridea is most famous for order Arthropleurida. With the genus Arthropleura over 2 meters in length, Arthropleurids are the largest arthropods ever to have lived. The lack of large terrestrial vertebrate predators and the highly oxygenic atmosphere at that time probably enabled them to grow so large. Arthropleurids lived in the moist coal swamps that were common at the time and may have burrowed in the undergrowth. They were either herbivores or detritivores. Besides their size, their most distinguishing features were their legs with eight segments (as many as 30 pairs) and extremely tough exoskeletons. There is no evidence of spiracles, so the animals must have used lungs or gills for respiration.[1] Arthropleurids became extinct as the climate became drier and the coal swamps dried out.[1]
Tracks from Arthropleura up to 50cm wide have been found at Joggins, Nova Scotia.[3]
Most Arthropleuridea are thought to have been terrestrial, although, without any known respiratory structure, terrestriality is assumed only by analogy to modern arthropods.[4] Early forms, however, including order Eoarthropleurida, appear to have been aquatic. For this reason, some question Arthropleuridea's inclusion among millipedes because no modern aquatic myriapods are known.[1] Eoarthropleurida has been found from the Upper Silurian through the Upper Devonian of Europe and North America.
Order Microdecemplicida was smaller in comparison to the other Arthropleuridea, with genus Microdecemplex just a few millimeters long. It is known from the Middle through Upper Devonian of New York state.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Class? and Order Arthropleurida. Palaeos. Retrieved on 2006-04-12.
- ^ a b Arthropleuridea. Retrieved on 2006-04-12.
- ^ The Excitement of Discovery. Virtual Museum of Canada. Retrieved on 2006-04-17.
- ^ Fortey, Richard; R. H. Thomas [1998-01-01]. Arthropod Relationships. Springer. ISBN 0-412-75420-7.
