The true identity of the supposed giant fossil spider Megarachne.

ABSTRACT: Megarachne servinei from the Permo-Carboniferous Bajo de Véliz Formation of San Luis Province, Argentina (32 degrees 17'S, 65 degrees 25'E), was described as a giant mygalomorph spider ('tarantula') and, with its body length of 339mm, 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 ca

SUBMITTER: Selden PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1629066 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature