Brontoscorpio

† Brontoscorpio anglicus
Temporal range: Silurian–Lower Devonian
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: † Eoscorpiidae
Genus: † Brontoscorpio
Kjellesvig-Waering, 1972
Binomial name
† Brontoscorpio anglicus
Kjellesvig-Waering, 1972

Brontoscorpio anglicus is a species of fossil scorpion. Its remains were discovered in Trimpley, Worcestershire, and the species was described on the basis of a single pedipalp.[1][2] The complete animal is estimated to be at least 90 centimetres (35 in) long and aquatic.[1] Its carnivorous diet may have consisted of worms, fish, or trilobites.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Erik N. Kjellesvig-Waering (1972). "Brontoscorpio anglicus: a gigantic Lower Paleozoic scorpion from central England". Journal of Paleontology 46 (1): 39–42. JSTOR 1302906. 
  2. ^ Andrew J. Jeram. "Phylogeny, classification and evolution of Silurian and Devonian scorpions". In Paul A. Selden (PDF). Proceedings of the 17th European Colloquium of Arachnology, Edinburgh 1997, 1998. http://www.european-arachnology.org/proceedings/17th/3Jeram.pdf. 
  3. ^ Haines, Tim; Chambers, Paul (2005). "Brontoscorpio". The complete guide to prehistoric life (First ed.). Buffalo, N.Y.: Firefly Books. p. 24. ISBN 9781554071814. "It would use its claws and stinger to catch worms, fish, trilobites or any other animals that came within range."