An artist’s impression of Pentecopterus. (Image credit: Patrick Lynch – Yale University)
An ancient species of giant sea scorpion, Pentecopterus, which could grow up to six feet in length, has been identified after examining more than 150 fossil specimens of both adult and juvenile specimens.
The fossils were uncovered in Iowa and lived approximately 460 million years ago. The species likely lived in a shallow mix of fresh and salt water, that was likely inhospitable to other marine life at the time.
Original research paper published in BMC Evolutionary Biology on August 31, 2015.
Names and affiliations of selected author
