Balteurypterus tetragonophtalmus, Silurian; UKR

Age: Silurian, Bagovitsa Fm.;Finding region: Smotrych River, Kamjanez-Podilskyj, UkraineSize of head: 2 cmSize of matrix: 6 x 6 x 1 cmEurypterids, also called sea scorpions for their pointy telson, evolved in the Ordovician. They were the apex predators of the upper Ordovician, Silurian and lower Devonian seas, and reached their largest biodiversity during this time. The largest representatives of this order could reach up to 3 meters, while Balteurypterus tetragonophtalmus only was a few modest centimeters long. The Suborder of Eurypterina, to which Eurypterus of course belongs, modified their last pair of legs into swimming paddles. They had two respiratory systems - book gills and Kiemenplatten - and trace fossils indicate that they could go on land. They never fully transitioned, however, probably because like their relatives the horseshoe crabs they chewed with the bases of their legs outside of their mouth, which would have been more efficient underwater than on land. In the seas, fish started outcompeting them, which drove the remaining species into the rivers. In the Permian there were only a few species left, among them the heaviest arthropods to ever exist. During the Permo-Triassic extinction the last members of this group went extinct.The colors on the pictures may differ slightly from the original due to technical reasons.

Eurypterids, also known as sea scorpions because of their pointed tails, evolved in the Ordovician. They were the dominant predators of the Upper Ordovician, Silurian and Lower Devonian seas and achieved maximum species diversity at that time.The most impressive representatives of this order could grow up to 3 m long, while Balteurypterus tetrag. only reached a few modest centimetres. The large group of eurypterids possessed a fin-like, powerful last pair of extremities. They had two respiratory systems - book gills and gill plates - and trace fossils show that they were quite capable of walking on land. Unfortunately, they didn't quite make the leap, because like their close relatives, the horseshoe crabs, they used the tips of their legs to chew, which is much more efficient underwater than on land. They also faced increasing competition from fish in the sea, so they withdrew to the river systems.In the Permian, there were only a few species of what are probably the largest known arthropods of all time.Age: Silurian, Bagovitsa Fm;Locality: Smotrych (left tributary of the Dniester), near Kamyanez-Podilskyi, Khmelnytskyi oblast, western UkraineSize of head: 1 cm; matrix: approx. 4 - 8 cmColors on product photos may differ from those of the original specimen due to technical reasons.Our pictures are for reference only. You will receive a piece of equivalent quality with your purchase.