Topic
Euproops
About: Euproops is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 6 publications have been published within this topic receiving 55 citations.
Papers
TL;DR: An expanded Xiphosurans phylogeny is presented, comprising 58 xiphosuran species as part of a 158 taxon chelicerate matrix coded for 259 characters, and is the first step in resolving longstanding questions regarding the geographic distribution of the modern horseshoe crab species and whether they truly represent ‘living fossils’.
Abstract: Xiphosurans are aquatic chelicerates with a fossil record extending into the Early Ordovician and known from a total of 88 described species, four of which are extant. Known for their apparent morphological conservatism, for which they have gained notoriety as supposed 'living fossils', recent analyses have demonstrated xiphosurans to have an ecologically diverse evolutionary history, with several groups moving into non-marine environments and developing morphologies markedly different from those of the modern species. The combination of their long evolutionary and complex ecological history along with their paradoxical patterns of morphological stasis in some clades and experimentation among others has resulted in Xiphosura being of particular interest for macroevolutionary study. Phylogenetic analyses have shown the current taxonomic framework for Xiphosura-set out in the Treatise of Invertebrate Paleontology in 1955-to be outdated and in need of revision, with several common genera such as Paleolimulus Dunbar, 1923 and Limulitella Stormer, 1952 acting as wastebasket taxa. Here, an expanded xiphosuran phylogeny is presented, comprising 58 xiphosuran species as part of a 158 taxon chelicerate matrix coded for 259 characters. Analysing the matrix under both Bayesian inference and parsimony optimisation criteria retrieves a concordant tree topology that forms the basis of a genus-level systematic revision of xiphosuran taxonomy. The genera Euproops Meek, 1867, Belinurus Konig, 1820, Paleolimulus, Limulitella, and Limulus are demonstrated to be non-monophyletic and the previously synonymized genera Koenigiella Raymond, 1944 and Prestwichianella Cockerell, 1905 are shown to be valid. In addition, nine new genera (Andersoniella gen. nov., Macrobelinurus gen. nov., and Parabelinurus gen. nov. in Belinurina; Norilimulus gen. nov. in Paleolimulidae; Batracholimulus gen. nov. and Boeotiaspis gen. nov. in Austrolimulidae; and Allolimulus gen. nov., Keuperlimulus gen. nov., and Volanalimulus gen. nov. in Limulidae) are erected to accommodate xiphosuran species not encompassed by existing genera. One new species, Volanalimulus madagascarensis gen. et sp. nov., is also described. Three putative xiphosuran genera-Elleria Raymond, 1944, Archeolimulus Chlupac, 1963, and Drabovaspis Chlupac, 1963-are determined to be non-xiphosuran arthropods and as such are removed from Xiphosura. The priority of Belinurus Konig, 1820 over Bellinurus Pictet, 1846 is also confirmed. This work is critical for facilitating the study of the xiphosuran fossil record and is the first step in resolving longstanding questions regarding the geographic distribution of the modern horseshoe crab species and whether they truly represent 'living fossils'. Understanding the long evolutionary history of Xiphosura is vital for interpreting how the modern species may respond to environmental change and in guiding conservation efforts.
41 citations
TL;DR: In this article, 45 individuals of the genus Euproops, sampled from particular levels in the profile, are reported on for the first time, revealing new morphological details and giving novel insights into the palaeoenvironment and to the hypothesis of subaerial activity.
Abstract: . Tierische Fossilien aus dem Westfal D des Piesbergs bei Osnabruck sind seit 1860 vereinzelt immer wieder beschrieben worden. Doch erst durch die Funde der letzten 30 Jahre zahlt der Piesberg zu den bedeutendsten Fundorten terrestrischer Fauna im Karbon. Erstmals werden 45 stratifiziert aufgesammelte Individuen von Euproops untersucht. Einige Details der Morphologie sowie eine dichte Behaarung werden beschrieben. Auf der Basis dieser Merkmale sowie der Verteilung juveniler und adulter Individuen im geologischen Profil wird eine Deutung des Lebensraumes der Euproopiden versucht. Danach hielten sich die juvenilen Individuen dieser Tiergruppe als Laubstreubewohner in feuchten Spulsaumen flacher ruhiger Gewasser und Laubstreuhorizonten auf. Die adulten Formen lebten vornehmlich benthisch in ufernahen Gewassern und verliesen wohl nur noch gelegentlich das Wasser. Since 1860 articulated fossils of terrestrial taxa have been described from lower Westfalian D sediments of the Piesberg section near Osnabruck (northwestern Germany). In this paper 45 individuals of the genus Euproops, sampled from particular levels in the profile, are reported on for the first time. Analysis of the fossil material reveals new morphological details – especially setae densely covering the ventral side – that, combined with the geological setting of the profile, gives novel insights into the palaeoenvironment and to the hypothesis of subaerial activity. Young individuals of Euproops may have been "litter dwellers" inhabiting forest-litter and partly decayed plant material that had washed ashore. By contrast, adults formed a principal component of the nearshore benthic fauna. They were able to leave the water, but only for short periods. This is proved by the occurence of adults and juveniles in different lithologies. doi: 10.1002/mmng.20000030105
15 citations
Journal Article•
13 citations
1 Jan 1957
TL;DR: In this paper, the Carboniferous genera Palaeocaris and Euproops have been reported from strata of Lower carboniferous age in the Mari-time Provinces of Canada.
Abstract: Specimens of the Carboniferous genera Palaeocaris and Euproops have not previously been reported from strata of Lower Carboniferous age in the Mari- time Provinces of Canada. One new species, P. novascoticus, is described and a sup- plementary description of E. thompsoni Raymond is given.
6 citations
TL;DR: Examination of 36 specimens of the Pennsylvanian horseshoe crab Euproops danae from a previously unreported occurrence in the lower Mercer Shale exposed in an abandoned strip mine document ontogenetic changes in prosomal morphology.
Abstract:
Examination of 36 specimens of the Pennsylvanian horseshoe crab Euproops danae (Meek & Worthen, 1865) from a previously unreported occurrence in the lower Mercer Shale exposed in an abandoned strip mine south from Windber, Pennsylvania, USA, document ontogenetic changes in prosomal morphology. Intercardiophthalmic transverse bars become less pronounced as ophthalmic spines become longer in larger, older specimens through approximately seven instar stages. It remains unclear if the presence or absence of ophthalmic spines is taphonomic, regardless of developmental stage. The holotype of E. danae is illustrated photographically for the first time.
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 1957 | 1 |
| 1938 | 1 |