Carcinosoma Temporal range: Late Silurian |
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Fossil of C. newlini | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Merostomata |
Order: | †Eurypterida |
Superfamily: | †Mixopteroidea |
Family: | †Carcinosomatidae |
Genus: |
†Carcinosoma Claypole, 1890 |
Species | |
See text |
See text
Carcinosoma is a genus of eurypterid found in Late Silurian-aged marine strata of Great Britain and the eastern United States. Various species grew up to 30 centimetres in length.
Carcinosoma were characterized by small to large exoskeletons with scattered minute tubercules or raised tongue-shaped scales. The prosoma (head) was subtriangular, with small compound eyes at the front. The chelicerae (claws in front of the mouth) were small. The walking legs were covered with long spines, and the second pair of walking legs was the longest. The preabdomen, the front portion of the body, was broad and ovate, while the postabdomen was cylindrical and narrow. The telson was a curved spine.