Bertie Problematic

[Dean Ruocco]

Here's an enigmatic specimen that has puzzled me. There are other specimens that have been found. One researchers opinion was it was a Telson that washed around and became "loosie goosey", Another's was its from Dolichopterus which also could make sense. Others have said its from some sort of Pyllocarid or a Acanthodian.  I personally agree with the Telson theory but id love to hear your opinions!!

[piranha]

It does look like a good match with a Dolichopterus walking leg spine:

 

 

The Eurypterida of New York. Memoir 14 - Volumes 1 & 2  PDF LINK

[Dean Ruocco]

8 hours ago, piranha said:

It does look like a good match with a Dolichopterus walking leg spine:

 

 

The Eurypterida of New York. Memoir 14 - Volumes 1 & 2  PDF LINK

I would agree, however this specimen is a inch and a half. (Sorry I didn’t have any metric of scale before) most of the Dolichopterus I've collected and seen had walking leg spikes from about a quarter of a inch to half a inch. The size difference makes me think it’s not from a Dolichopterus walking leg.

[piranha]

According to the scale from figures 2 & 3 in Clarke and Ruedemann, the longest spines are approximately one inch in length.

[piranha]

Eusarcana scorpionis appears to be a better match for the scale of your specimen:

 

 

[Dean Ruocco]

1 hour ago, piranha said:

Eusarcana scorpionis appears to be a better match for the scale of your specimen:

 

 

When I got home I measured it to see if my estimation was right, It’s almost two and a half inches(see attached images also sorry for the error.) I have some legs from Paracarcinosoma and they just don’t look similar to this specimen.  Maybe it’s the distorted telson of a Dolichopterus, I’m not sure. 

[piranha]

Eusarcana is the updated name according to Dunlop & Lamsdell 2012. You should send the photos to James Lamsdell for further assistance.

 

Dunlop, J.A., Lamsdell, J.C. 2012. Nomenclatural Notes on the Eurypterid Family Carcinosomatidae. Zoosystematics and Evolution, 88(1):19-24  PDF LINK

[Bringing Fossils to Life]

Nice find, whatever it is!

[Dean Ruocco]

On 5/20/2022 at 4:13 PM, Bringing Fossils to Life said:

Nice find, whatever it is!

Thanks.

[Dean Ruocco]

I figured out what this was, Allan Lang had a near complete Dolichopterus I looked at yesterday and the telson was very similar in structure. 

[ScottBlooded]

2 hours ago, Dean Ruocco said:

I figured out what this was, Allan Lang had a near complete Dolichopterus I looked at yesterday and the telson was very similar in structure. 

This is very very cool. So glad you got an answer, and such an interesting one. Love me a eurypterid