Journal
BIOLOGY LETTERS
Volume 1, Issue 1, Pages 44-48Publisher
ROYAL SOCIETY
DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2004.0272
Keywords
Chelicerata; Eurypterida; Arachnida; Permo-Carboniferous; Argentina
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Megarachne servinei from the Permo-Carbon-iferous Bajo de Veliz Formation of San Luis Province, Argentina (32 degrees 17'S, 65 degrees 25'E), was described as a giants mygalomorph spider ('tarantula') and, with its body length of 339 mm., the largest known spider ever to have lived on Earth. Its identification as a spider was based on interpretations of the shape of the carapace, the position of the eye tubercle, the anterior protrusion of the carapace as a pair of chelicerae, and the posterior circular structure as the abdomen. X-radiography revealed possible morphology hidden in the matrix: cheliceral fangs, sternum, labium and coxae, and so a reconstruction of Megarachne as a giant spider was presented. Difficulties with the interpretation (unusual:cuticular ornament, suture dividing the carapace and spade-like anterior border of the chelicera), together with non-preservation of synapomorphies of Araneae:, provoked debate about its interpretation as a spider. Now, the holotype and a new specimen have become available for study. Megarachne is shown to be a bizarre eurypterid ('sea-scorpion'), similar to rare forms known from Carboniferous rocks of Scotland and South Africa, and is the most complete eurypterid so far recorded from Carboniferous strata of South America.
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