Kokomopteridae

Kokomopteridae
Temporal range: Silurian, 443.7–416 Ma
Reconstruction of Kokomopterus.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Order: †Eurypterida
Superfamily: †Kokomopteroidea
Family: †Kokomopteridae
Kjellesvig-Waering, 1966
Genera

The Kokomopteridae are a family of eurypterids, an extinct group of chelicerate arthropods commonly known as "sea scorpions". The family is one of two families contained in the superfamily Kokomopteroidea (along with Hardieopteridae), which in turn is one of four superfamilies classified as part of the suborder Stylonurina.

Kokomopterids are defined as kokomopteroids with an undifferentiated opisthosoma with a marginal rim. Appendages II-V are spiniferous as in Lamontopterus and VI is non-spiniferous as in Kokomopterus.[1]

The Kokomopteridae retains primitive Hughmilleria-type prosomal appendages II-IV, unsuited to the sweep-feeding lifestyle used by some of the superfamilies of the Stylonurina (Stylonuroidea and Hibbertopteroidea), and were as such likely mainly scavengers.[1]

Genera

Family Kokomopteridae Kjellesvig-Waering, 1966

References

  1. ^ a b James C. Lamsdell, Simon J. Braddy & O. Erik Tetlie (2010). "The systematics and phylogeny of the Stylonurina (Arthropoda: Chelicerata: Eurypterida)". Journal of Systematic Palaeontology. 8 (1): 49–61. doi:10.1080/14772011003603564.


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