Tarsopterella is a genus of prehistoric eurypterid

Eurypterid

Eurypterids are an extinct group of arthropods related to arachnids which include the largest known arthropods that ever lived. They are members of the extinct order Eurypterida ; which is the most diverse Paleozoic chelicerate order in terms of species...

 of the Family Hardieopteridae. It contains only one species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

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Description

Tarsopterella is distinguished by its prosoma (head), which is subrectangular and slightly concave in front, with small compound eyes. Its abdomen has pronounced lateral epimera (marginal spines similar to those of horseshoe crabs). Tarsopterella dates from the Lower Devonian period.

Species

• Tarsopterella Størmer, 1951
• T. scoticus (Woodward 1864) - Lower Devonian, Scotland.

= Erieopterus brewsteri Woodward, 1864

= Stylonurus armatus Page, 1867