Affiliation:
1. School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
2. CONICET—Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Salta, Av. Bolivia 5150, CP 4400 Salta, Argentina
3. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica (CRILAR, Conicet), Anillaco, 5301 Provincia de La Rioja, Argentina
Abstract
Megarachne servinei
from the Permo-Carboniferous Bajo de Véliz Formation of San Luis Province, Argentina (32° 17′ S, 65° 25′ E), was described as a giant mygalomorph spider (‘tarantula’) and, with its body length of 339 mm, the largest known spider ever to have lived on Earth. Its identification as a spider was based on interpretations of the shape of the carapace, the position of the eye tubercle, the anterior protrusion of the carapace as a pair of chelicerae, and the posterior circular structure as the abdomen. X-radiography revealed possible morphology hidden in the matrix: cheliceral fangs, sternum, labium and coxae, and so a reconstruction of
Megarachne
as a giant spider was presented. Difficulties with the interpretation (unusual cuticular ornament, suture dividing the carapace and spade-like anterior border of the chelicera), together with non-preservation of synapomorphies of Araneae, provoked debate about its interpretation as a spider. Now, the holotype and a new specimen have become available for study.
Megarachne
is shown to be a bizarre eurypterid (‘sea-scorpion’), similar to rare forms known from Carboniferous rocks of Scotland and South Africa, and is the most complete eurypterid so far recorded from Carboniferous strata of South America.
Subject
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous)
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