Erettopterus (Pygopterus) bilobus, a Silurian Eurypterid from Scotland

Erettopterus (Pterygotus) bilobus Salter, 1856

Silurian

Ludlow Series

Leshmahagow

Lanarkshire

Scotland

Many important collections of Silurian arthropods and vertebrates have been made near Lesmahagow since the mid to late 1800's. The Lesmahagow Inlier is a block of Silurian sediments surrounded by sediments of Carboniferous age. The inlier consists of shales and sandstones with occasional pebble conglomerates of a lagoon or lake. The sediments are thought to be of Llandovery (Silurian) age. This Eurypterid is from the Birk Knowes SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), now off-limits to all collecting due to overzealous collecting (mostly Germans I have to confess).