Eurypterus remipes (Sea Scorpion)

Eurypterids, commonly known as Sea Scorpions, are an extinct group of arthropods that are related to arachnids and include the largest known arthropods to have ever lived. Prevalent during the Silurain and Devonian ages, eurypterids were segmented aquatic arthropods, with compound eyes, and two club-like claws. Some species exhibit toothed claws, and may therefore have been predators. Though they are globally dispersed, eurypterid fossils are uncommon in the fossil record because of the special conditions needed for preservation of their exoskeleton that was not mineralized. Thus, fossils sites preserving them are generally restricted to Lagerstätten, which are deposits known for the exceptional preservation of fossilized organisms or traces. Such conditions existed in several fossils site within New York’s Bertie group from which this Eurypterus remipes comes. Eurypterus remipes is the state fossil of New York.