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An exceptionally well-preserved scorpion from the Besano Formation (Monte San Giorgio, Middle Triassic, Southern Alps): preliminary study

TL;DR: Viaretti et al. as discussed by the authors reported an exceptionally well-preserved scorpion from the Besano Formation (Monte San Giorgio, Middle Triassic, Southern Alps).
Abstract: Corresponding autor’s contact: marco.viaretti@studenti.unimi.it How to cite: Viaretti et al. (2020). An exceptionally well-preserved scorpion from the Besano Formation (Monte San Giorgio, Middle Triassic, Southern Alps): preliminary study. Fossilia, Volume 2020: 53-55. https://doi.org/10.32774/ FosRepPal.2020.0614 Fossilia Reports in Palaeontology An exceptionally well-preserved scorpion from the Besano Formation (Monte San Giorgio, Middle Triassic, Southern Alps): preliminary study

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Spiders appear to dominate the fossil arachnid species assemblage, making up a greater proportion of paleodiversity than their Recent diversity would predict and groups like mites, harvestmen, pseudoscorpions and solifuges are noticeably under-represented as fossils when compared to modern patterns of diversity.
Abstract: The species-level diversity of fossil Chelicerata is summarized for each order. 1952 valid species of fossil chelicerates are currently recognized, of which 1593 are arachnids. In order of abundance they are: Araneae (979 fossil species), Actinotrichida (283), Eurypterida (241), Scorpiones (111), Xiphosura (96), Trigonotarbida (71), Pseudoscorpiones (38), Phalangiotarbida (30), Opiliones (25), Ricinulei (15), and Anactinotrichida (11). Other groups are represented by ten fossil species or fewer. Based on published descriptions, spiders thus appear to dominate the fossil arachnid species assemblage, making up a greater proportion of paleodiversity than their Recent diversity would predict. Scorpions are also overrepresented, particularly in the Paleozoic, compared to their modern diversity. By contrast, groups like mites, harvestmen, pseudoscorpions and solifuges are noticeably under-represented as fossils when compared to modern patterns of diversity.

36 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Lourenco et al. as mentioned in this paper described two new families, genera, and species of fossil scorpions from the Buntsandstein (Early Triassic) of France, the Voltzia Sandstone Formation.

31 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Recurrent taphonomic patterns in modern scorpion carcasses and molts are documents and patterns extended to the fossil record are extended to define criteria by which fossil scorpion molts might be distinguished from fossil scorpian carcasses.
Abstract: The ability to distinguish fossil arthropod carcasses from their molts is necessary for a more complete understanding of the arthropod fossil record and for more accurately assessing the role of fossil arthropods in paleoecosystems. Taphonomic characteristics, e.g., recurrent patterns of disarticulation of exoskeletal elements, are the primary data that have been used to differentiate fossil exuvia and fossil carcasses among arthropods. This study documents recurrent taphonomic patterns in modern scorpion carcasses and molts and extends these patterns to the fossil record to define criteria by which fossil scorpion molts might be distinguished from fossil scorpion carcasses. The three most useful and statistically significant characters in making the scorpion carcass/molt distinction are: position of the chelicerae (drawn in or extended); position of walking legs (folded or splayed); and body line (straight or curved). Two other characteristics, the position of pedipalps and presence or absence of telescoped segments, approach statistical significance and are also potentially useful. Disarticulation data are not as useful for distinguishing fossil scorpion molts and carcasses, because there are no statistically significant differences in length of time to total disarticulation or in the sequence of disarticulation between scorpion molts and carcasses. Among extant arthropods, scorpions possess the body plan most similar to that of the extinct eurypterids. Therefore, the taphonomic criteria developed for distinguishing fossil scorpion molts and carcasses may have implications for understanding molting among eurypterids.

19 citations