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| Pterygotus v Eryops | |
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| Topic Started: Mar 23 2012, 09:28 PM (782 Views) | |
| Taipan | Mar 23 2012, 09:28 PM Post #1 |
Administrator
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Pterygotus anglicus Pterygotus (meaning wing-animal or finned one) is the second-largest known eurypterid, or sea scorpion and one of the largest arthropods of all time. Pterygotid eurypterids, which lived from the Early Silurian to Devonian periods, were characterized by small to large exoskeletons with semilunar scales. The telson (tail) was expanded, or flatter than it was tall. Pterygotids also had chelicerae (claws in front of the mouth) that were large and long, with strong, well developed teeth on the claws. Their walking legs were small and slender, without spines.Pterygotus is distinguishable from other Pterygotids by the curved distal margin of the chelae. The prosoma (head) is subtrapezoidal (a trapezoid with rounded corners), with compound eyes located near the edge of the front corners. The telson has a pronounced dorsal carina (or keel) running down its center, terminating in a short spine. Pterygotus could reach a length of 2.3 metres (7 ft 7 in), had a pair of large compound eyes, as well as another pair of smaller eyes in the center of its head. It had 4 pairs of walking legs, a fifth pair modified into swimming paddles, and a pair of large chelae (pincers) for subduing prey.  Eryops megacephalus Eryops (pronounced /ˈɛəri.ɒps/) meaning "drawn-out face" because most of its skull was in front of its eyes (Greek eryein = drawn-out + ops = face) is a genus of extinct, semi-aquatic amphibian found primarily in the Lower Permian-aged Admiral Formation (about 295 million years ago) of Archer County, Texas, but fossils are also found in New Mexico and parts of the eastern United States. Eryops averaged a little over 1.5-2.0 meters (5-6 ft) long, making it one of the largest land animals of its time. It weighed about 90 kilograms (200 lb). It probably had few predators though it would have likely been an easy target for a predator like Dimetrodon which was larger and was likely the apex predator at the time. Several complete skeletons of Eryops have been found in the Lower Permian, but skull plates and teeth are the most common fossils. Although it had no direct descendants, it is the best-known Permian amphibian and a remarkable example of natural engineering. Eryops is an example of an animal that made successful adaptations in the movement from a water environment to a terrestrial one. It retained, and refined, most of the traits found in its fish ancestors. Sturdy limbs supported and transported its body while out of water. A thicker, stronger backbone prevented its body from sagging under its own weight. Also, by utilizing vestigial fish jaw bones, a rudimentary ear was developed, allowing Eryops to hear airborne sound. The skull of Eryops is proportionately large, being broad and flat and reaching lengths of 60 centimeters (2 ft). The skull resembled that of a salamander. It had an enormous mouth with many sharp teeth in strong jaws. Its teeth had enamel with a folded pattern, hence its classification with the labyrinthodonts ("maze toothed"). Within the wide, gaping jaw, the fang-like palatal teeth, when coupled with the gape, suggest an inertial feeding habit. This is when the amphibian would grasp its prey and, lacking any chewing mechanism, toss its head up and backwards, throwing the prey farther back into its mouth. Such feeding is seen today in the crocodile and alligator. It is taken that Eryops was not very active, thus a predatory lifestyle, while possible, was probably not the norm. It is more likely that it fed on fish either in the water or on those that became stranded at the margins of lakes and swamps. A large supply of terrestrial invertebrates were also abundant at the time, and this may have provided a fairly adequate food supply in itself.  _____________________________________________________________
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| Ozark Prowler | Mar 24 2012, 04:02 AM Post #2 |
Unicellular Organism
  ![]](http://z4.ifrm.com/static/2/pip_r.png)
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Pterygotus may have the size advantage, but as far as that image goes, I don't see those pinching claws doing much to Eryops. The large amphibian's jaws should be able to take out the sea scorpion with out too much trouble. |
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| Temnospondyl | Mar 25 2012, 06:56 PM Post #3 |
Stegocephalia specialist.
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Thanks, Taipan! I think, that an armored sea scorpion can easily damage a thin slin of Eryops. However, eryops has strong jaws to crush the aurmor. It won't be easy.
Edited by Temnospondyl, Mar 25 2012, 06:56 PM.
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| Carcharadon | Nov 4 2012, 03:05 AM Post #4 |
Shark Toothed Reptile
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Eryops. It has a much deadlier bite that can easily kill the arthropod |
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| Fishfreak | Nov 4 2012, 01:21 PM Post #5 |
Marine animal enthusiast
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eryops wins imo. deadlier bite, more agile and more robust (thouugh not armoured). |
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| SpinoInWonderland | Nov 4 2012, 02:45 PM Post #6 |
The madness has come back...
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eryops wins this... |
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| jj5893 | Nov 16 2012, 06:50 PM Post #7 |
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Heterotrophic Organism
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Pterygotus would rip its foe apart. |
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