| Eramoscorpius | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A fossil ofEramoscorpius (ROM 5324) | |
 | |
| Reconstruction ofEramoscorpius | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Scorpiones |
| Genus: | †Eramoscorpius Waddington, Rudkin & Dunlop, 2015 |
| Species: | †E. brucensis |
| Binomial name | |
| †Eramoscorpius brucensis Waddington, Rudkin & Dunlop, 2015 | |
Eramoscorpius is an extinct genus ofSilurian scorpions from theEramosa Member inOntario. It was likely one of the first semi-terrestrial scorpions. The genus contains asingle species,Eramoscorpius brucensis.[1]
Eramoscorpius was roughly 17 cm long at largest, with individuals in various size classes. Unusually for most Silurian scorpions, itstarsi resembled those of modern scorpions, suggesting the ability to walk on land. Most other Silurian scorpions, on the other hand, had tarsi much longer than basitarsi, or pointed crab-like legs, meaning they would have likely walked on their "toes" and therefore would have been rather slow on land. However, the morphology of thecoxosternae still suggestsEramoscorpius was mainly aquatic. While its sternal morphology resembles the "giant" scorpionPraearcturus, appendages are unknown from that genus, alongside the two differing in the absence ofcoxapophyses.Eramoscorpius likely moulted on land or in very shallow water, thereby avoiding larger predators such aseurypterids, alongside explaining why seemingly all fossils are likely exuviae.[1] 2019 study confirmed thatEramoscorpius hadbook lungs.[2]
Eramoscorpius derives from the Eramosa Member where it was found, alongside "-scorpius", a common suffix for scorpions. The specific namebrucensis derives from its fossils being found on theBruce Peninsula.[1]
