Distribution and dispersal history of Eurypterida (Chelicerata)

摘要: Abstract The distribution and dispersal histories of Eurypterida are examined in a phylogenetic palaeogeographic context. It is suggested that all the eurypterid clades originated had most their evolutionary history on palaeocontinents Laurentia, Baltica, Avalonia, Rheno–Hercynian Terrane some presence Siberia. Siluro–Devonian Stylonurina eurypterine superfamilies Eurypteroidea Waeringopteroidea confined entirety to these continents. Late Palaeozoic records Adelophthalmoidea Hibbertopteroidea China, South America Africa can be explained by ‘rafting’ continental plates amalgamated into supercontinent Pangaea. However, two have distributions suggest abilities cross open stretches ocean; Silurian Devonian pterygotoids adelophthalmoids. one mixopteroid basal swimming form Onychopterella outside ‘core-area’ patterns more complicated. might only clade whose members frequently undertook oceanic excursions. Since almost evolution took place Baltica Avalonia (and Early Terrane) prior Carboniferous, it unlikely many taxonomically rich pre-Carboniferous faunas will encountered palaeocontinents.