The Carcinosoma (1890)
Phylum : Arthropoda Class : Merostomata Order : Eurypterida Superfamily : Mixopteroidea Family : Carcinosomatidae Genus : Carcinosoma Species : C. harleyi, C. libertyi, C. newlini, C. punctatum, C. scorpioides, C. scoticus, C. spiniferum
Late Silurian
30 cm long (size)
North America (map)
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.