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Pulmonoscorpius kirktonensis
Topic Started: Mar 31 2014, 07:11 AM (2,785 Views)
Scalesofanubis
Omnivore
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Pulmonoscorpius kirktonensis

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Temporal range: Visean

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: †Centromachidae
Genus: †Pulmonoscorpius
Species:Pulmonoscorpius kirktonensis

Pulmonoscorpius kirktonensis (literally breathing scorpion) is a giant species of extinct scorpion that lived during the Viséan epoch of the Carboniferous. Its fossils were found at East Kirkton, West Lothian in Scotland. In life, this species grew to 70 centimetres (28 in) long. The diet of Pulmonoscorpius is not known directly, but arthropods may have formed part of its diet, and its sting may have been able to fell small tetrapods. It is impossible to know the strength of this species venom from fossil remains, but with modern species, thick pincers for body size tends to equal less powerful venom, while thin pincers and thick tails tend to indicate more powerful venom. Pulmonoscorpius, while a large scorpion, had comparatively thin pincers for it's size.
Like the giant Meganeura,‭ ‬Pulmonoscorpius is thought to have achieved its large size from the higher oxygen content of the air of the Carboniferous period.‭ ‬The superficial morphology of Pulmonoscorpius is that of a larger version to today‭’‬s scorpions,‭ ‬although its proportionally larger eyes have led to the suggestion that it may have been a more visually orientated hunter.‭

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Edited by Taipan, Apr 4 2014, 07:38 PM.
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