Pterygotus
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Extinct (fossil)
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Pterygotus was the largest eurypterid, or sea scorpion. It was also the largest arthropod of all time, rivaled in size only by the giant millipede, Arthropleura. It could reach a length of 2.3 m (about 7 feet), had a pair of tremendous compound eyes, as well as another pair smaller eyes in the center of its head, and 4 pairs of walking legs, a fifth pair modified into swimming paddles, as well as a pair of large chelae (pincers) for the subduing of prey. The foremost 6 tergites, or tail sections, contained gills and the reproductive organs of the animal.
The larger pair of Pterygotus' eyes strongly suggests that it was a visually oriented predator. It used its paddles to swim, though, it could probably accelerate by using its tail as a third paddle. The beast is popularly reconstructed by artists in the act of violently capturing primitive fish.
Pterygotus first arose during the Silurian period, and eventually died out during the early to mid Devonian. It was related to Jaekelaopterus and Slimonia.
It was featured in the Devonian portion of the first episode of the BBC's Walking with Monsters series, where it menaced a Brontoscorpio that was pursuing the Devonian jawless fish Cephalaspis.
