A revision of Prolimulus woodwardi Fritsch, 1899 with comparison to other highly paedomorphic belinurids.

ABSTRACT: Xiphosurida is an ingroup of marine Euchelicerata often referred to as "living fossils". However, this oxymoronic term is inapplicable for Paleozoic and early Mesozoic forms, as during these periods the group experienced notable evolutionary radiations; particularly the diverse late Palaeozoic clade Belinurina. Despite the iconic nature of the group, select species in this clade have been left undescribed in the light of recent geometric morphometric and phylogenetic considerations and methodologies. To this end, we re-describe Prolimulus woodwardi Fritsch, 1899 using new and type specimens to reveal more details on appendage anatomy and possible ecology. Furthermore, we present geometric morphometric and phylogenetic analyses that uncover relationships between P. woodwardi a

SUBMITTER: Lustri L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7950201 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature