Five-foot-long 'bizarre' sea scorpion fossil discovered

More than 150 fossil fragments of the well-preserved ancestors of sea scorpions were unearthed in Iowa, according to The Daily Mail.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Named "Pentecopterus decorahensis," the creatures were the largest and oldest species of sea scorpion ever discovered. Researchers were in awe at the condition of the well-reserved fossils.

This predator eurypterid species was dated to have existed about 460 million years ago, 10 million years older than the previous record-holder for the eurypterids.

The Pentecopterus, due to the bizarre resemblance to the ancient Greek warship "penteconter," was calculated to have measured about five-feet-long, based on the unearthed fragments.

These eurypterids are said to be monster-like predators and the recent discovery is fascinating scientists for its body composition and fossil preservation. Fragments were unearthed from the upper layer of the Winneshiek Shale in northeastern Iowa.

"Perhaps most surprising is the fantastic way it is preserved. The exoskeleton is compressed on the rock but can be peeled off and studied under a microscope. This shows an amazing amount of detail, such as the patterns of small hairs on the legs," explained James Lamsdell of Yale University, the study's lead author. He claimed that studying the fossils is a very exciting feat, as it has skin similar to that of a modern animal. It is reported the newly discovered species is related to modern arachnids.

Scientists were able to interpret the functions of the body parts due to the well-preserved fossils. They discovered the pentecopterus had rear limbs that included paddles with larger surface areas and locked in with joints for reflex to suggest they were used for swimming and digging. They believe the second and third pairs of limbs were used in predation due to their angles.

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