Pentecopterus decorahensis: Upper Iowa River Giant Sea Scorpion Fossil

by DerdriuMarriner

Pentecopterus decorahensis, Decorah’s winged warship, is a 470,000,000-year-old Upper Iowa River Crater giant sea scorpion found in 2010 and named in 2015.

Decorah’s winged warships are super-big, super-old sea scorpions

Twenty-first century Earthlings generally associate scorpions with:
• stinging tails;
• Tequila bottles.

They typically behave less cautiously and more confidently when threats of poisons, reactions, toxins, and venoms are contained or countered. But ancestral lines and fossil histories challenge any peace of mind achieved by canceling or controlling poisonous, toxic, venomous interactions through reconstructed scenarios of what once was and therefore may be once more.

For example, paleobiologists and paleogeologists describe two prehistorically unsettling scenarios of:
• a 5.6-kilometer (3.48-mile) crater attesting to a 250-meter (820.21-foot) meteorite impact 443,800,000 to 485,400,000 years ago under what is now Decorah’s Upper Iowa River;
• 150 470,000,000-year-old fossil pieces enshrining 20 giant sea scorpions with mature head-to-tail bodies 1.7 meters (5.58 feet) long.

Thus far Pentecopterus decorahensis is oldest fossil of Eurypterida order, known informally as sea scorpions.

reconstruction of Eurypterus remipes: fossil of extinct genus of sea scorpions first eurypterid fossil discovery -- found in central New York in 1818; named in 1825; adopted as New York State Fossil in 1984
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's National Fossil Hall, Washington DC; Tuesday, January 1, 1980, 00:29
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's National Fossil Hall, Washington DC; Tuesday, January 1, 1980, 00:29

Decorah’s winged warships brave low-level, low-oxygen, low-salt waters

 

One good discovery encourages another. The discovery since 2010 of 5,354 specimens -- with 6.6% as eurypterid remains -- follows that in 2008 of the Decorah impact crater sustaining Winneshiek Shale’s suspected copper-, nickel-, platinum-rich, 27-meter-thick (88.58-foot) formation. Paleobiologists give the name eurypterid -- from the ancient Greek words εὐρύς (eurús-,  “wide”) and πτερόν (pterón, “wing”) -- to extinct, wide swimming-appendaged relatives of such modern arthropods -- from combining ἄρθρον (árthron, “joint”) and πούς (poús, “foot”) -- as:

  • harvestmen, mites, scorpions, solifuges, spiders, ticks;
  • horseshoe crabs;
  • lobsters.

The collection has as its most revelatory fossils giant sea scorpion adults and juveniles with respectively 75- to 100-centimeter-long (29.53- to 39.37-inch-long) and 10- to 15-centimeter-long (3.94- to 5.91-inch-long) limbs.

 

Modern-day relatives of Pentecopterus decorahensis include horseshoe crabs, which, originating 445,000,000 years ago (445 mya) in same geologic period, Ordovician, also share same class, Merostomata.

Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus); one of 30 trading cards for Tiere der Urwelt (Animals of the Prehistoric World), illustrated by Heinrich Harder (June 2, 1858-February 5, 1935), written by Wilhelm Bölsche (January 2, 1861-August 31, 1939)
Tiere der Urwelt, Series 1a (1902-1916); Kakao-Compagnie Theodor Reichardt, Wandsbek, Hamburg, Northern Germany
Tiere der Urwelt, Series 1a (1902-1916); Kakao-Compagnie Theodor Reichardt, Wandsbek, Hamburg, Northern Germany

Decorah’s winged warships cannot fossilize metastoma and side-eyes

 

The collection indicates survival of bivalve-, fish-, invertebrate-feeding top predators in brackish, oxygen-poor, shallow, tide-influenced, warm waters. Its paleoartists and paleontologists judge as super-accurate reconstructive descriptions and illustrations. Specimen removals by bin-angled chisels, steel periodontal probes, and water indeed keep together all molted bristles, follicles, scales, and structures except:

  • brain-covering, frontal prosomal shields;
  • lateral (side-located) eyes;
  • mouth-proximitous metastoma elevation;
  • ocelli (head-top “little eyes”).

They nevertheless leave scientific procedural doors open and revision-friendly through:

  • dry, normal-lit image production by Adobe Illustrator CS5 on OSX-run MacBook Pro, Adobe Photoshop CS5, Canon EOS 60D digital camera and EF-S60mm f/2.8 Macro USM fixed lens, Huion L42 LED light pad, Leica DFC240 digital camera and MZ16 stereomicroscope;
  • University of Iowa-housed specimen collections.

 

Pentecopterus could grow to almost six feet; the sea scorpion's narrow body supported a long head shield and large, prey-grasping limbs.

artist's impression of Pentecopterus by Patrick James Lynch, Yale University Office of Public Affairs & Communications
artist's impression of Pentecopterus by Patrick James Lynch, Yale University Office of Public Affairs & Communications

Decorah’s winged warships do not battle not-yet-existing dinosaurs

 

Images and information from discoverers Derek Briggs, James Lamdell, Huaibao Liu, Robert McKay, and Brian Witzke make clear eco-system functions of Decorah’s winged warships -- named for ancient Greek 50-oared battleships -- as:

  • descendants of 485,400,000- to 541,000,000-year-old Cambrian ancestors or explosive Mid-Ordovician radiators until 252,170,000 years ago;
  • Laurentian predators outcompeting Avalonian and Gondwanian bottom-feeders.

They need inspire nothing excepting:

  • appreciation for excellent analysis;
  • inspiration for future research;
  • relief over giant sea scorpion-free North American existences.

But they offer cause to speculate upon unmourned eco-system demises of Decorah’s winged warship, seemingly sustainable in:

  • angled, prey-grasping, sharp-spined fore-limbs;
  • balance-functioning, non-stinging, spikey tail half total length;
  • elongated, multi-claw-protected, helmet-shielded head;
  • hardy exoskeleton;
  • narrow, swimmer-streamlined body;
  • paddle-like, sensory bristle-covered rear-limbs.

 

"Fossils Show Big Bug Ruled the Seas 460 Million Years Ago" (2:31)

Uploaded September 2, 2015, by The Red Phoenix to YouTube ~ URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtqAwJsf5p0

Acknowledgment

 

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

 

Image Credits

 

Thus far Pentecopterus decorahensis is oldest fossil of Eurypterida order, known informally as sea scorpions.
reconstruction of Eurypterus remipes: fossil of extinct genus of sea scorpions first eurypterid fossil discovery -- found in central New York in 1818; named in 1825; adopted as New York State Fossil in 1984
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History's National Fossil Hall, Washington DC; Tuesday, January 1, 1980, 00:29: Ryan Somma, CC BY SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Eurypterus_Smithsonian.jpg; Ryan Somma, CC BY SA 2.0, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/ideonexus/2238227210/in/set-72157603838941938/

Modern-day relatives of Pentecopterus decorahensis include horseshoe crabs, which, originating 445,000,000 years ago (445 mya) in same geologic period, Ordovician, also share same class, Merostomata.
Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus); one of 30 trading cards for Tiere der Urwelt (Animals of the Prehistoric World), illustrated by Heinrich Harder (June 2, 1858-February 5, 1935), written by Wilhelm Bölsche (January 2, 1861-August 31, 1939)
Tiere der Urwelt, Series 1a (1902-1916); Kakao-Compagnie Theodor Reichardt, Wandsbek, Hamburg, Northern Germany: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Limulus.jpg

Pentecopterus could grow to almost six feet; the sea scorpion's narrow body supported a long head shield and large, prey-grasping limbs.
artist's impression of Pentecopterus by Patrick James Lynch, Yale University Office of Public Affairs & Communications
Patrick Lynch -- Yale University, No usage restrictions, via EurekAlert! @ https://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/649868

"Fossils Show Big Bug Ruled the Seas 460 Million Years Ago" (2:31)
Uploaded September 2, 2015, by The Red Phoenix to YouTube ~ URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtqAwJsf5p0

closeup of setae (bristles) covering ventral prosimal integument (= underside of anterior segment of tough outer protective layer) of Pentecopterus decorahensis
figure oriented with specimen anterior to left; scale bar = 1 millimeter
J. Lamsdell et al., "The oldest described eurypterid," BMC Evolutionary Biology, vol. 15 (2015), Figure 4: James Lamsdell, No usage restrictions, via EurekAlert! @ https://www.eurekalert.org/multimedia/649873

Decorah Crater: 470- million-year-old meteorite crater concealed beneath bedrock and, at depth of 50-p feet below Upper Iowa River's bottom, Winneshiek Shale Lagerstätte sediments, which yield extraordinarily well-preserved fossils such as Pentecopterus
Three-dimensional (3D) view of Decorah, Iowa and the Upper Iowa River: Scene is looking due north. Crater, known as Decorah Impact Structure, was discovered during 2008-2009 mineral survey by Iowa Geological and Water Survey.
graphic by Adam Kiel/Northeast Iowa RC&D (Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation & Development): Department of the Interior/USGS, Public Domain, via U.S. Geological Survey @ https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/3-d-perspective-view-decorah-impact

 

closeup of setae (bristles) covering ventral prosimal integument (= underside of anterior segment of tough outer protective layer) of Pentecopterus decorahensis

figure oriented with specimen anterior to left; scale bar = 1 millimeter
J. Lamsdell et al., "The oldest described eurypterid," BMC Evolutionary Biology, vol. 15 (2015), Figure 4
J. Lamsdell et al., "The oldest described eurypterid," BMC Evolutionary Biology, vol. 15 (2015), Figure 4

Sources Consulted

 

Borenstein, Seth. 31 August 2015. “Fossils Show Big Bug Ruled the Seas 460 Million Years Ago.” MSN > News. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/fossils-show-big-bug-ruled-the-seas-460-million-years-ago/ar-AAdNXCS?ocid=ansmsnnews11

Borenstein, Seth. 1 September 2015. “Iowa Fossils Show Giant Sea Scorpion Was Dominant Predator of Its Time.” The Globe and Mail > News > World. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/iowa-fossils-show-giant-sea-scorpion-was-dominant-predator-of-its-time/article26172832/?cmpid=rss1

Bräuer, Alexander. 04/08/2016. "Introducing the 'Tiere der Urwelt' Trilogy: Trading Cards as Artifacts." Universität Rostock Institut für Anglistik/Amerikanistik (IAA) > Forschung > laufende Forschungsprojekte > Project > Artifacts > Tiere der Urwelt Trilogy.

  • Available @ https://www.iaa.uni-rostock.de/forschung/laufende-forschungsprojekte/american-antiquities-prof-mackenthun/project/artifacts/tiere-der-urwelt-trilogy/

De Pastino, Blake. 31 August 2015. “’Incredibly Bizarre’ Giant Sea Scorpion Discovered in Iowa Fossil.” Western Digs > Dinosaurs & Ancient Life > Fossils. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://westerndigs.org/incredibly-bizarre-giant-sea-scorpion-discovered-in-iowa-fossil/

Feltman, Rachel; and Kaplan, Sarah. 1 September 2015. “’Bizarre’ Giant Sea Scorpion May Have Been the World’s First Big Predator.” The Washington Post > Speaking of Science. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2015/09/01/bizarre-giant-sea-scorpion-may-have-been-the-worlds-first-big-predator/

Ferreira, Becky. 31 August 2015. “This Prehistoric Sea Scorpion Was the Size of a Person.” Motherboard. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://motherboard.vice.com/read/this-prehistoric-sea-scorpion-was-the-size-of-a-person

Geggel, Laura. 1 September 2015. “’Bizarre’ Human-size Sea Scorpion Found in Meteorite Crater.” MSN > News > LiveScience. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/bizarre-human-size-sea-scorpion-found-in-meteorite-crater/ar-AAdPIwD?ocid=ansmsnnews11

Haines, Lester. 1 September 2015. “Giant Sea Scorpion Which Prowled Ancient Oceans Revealed.” The Register > Science. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://www.theregister.co.uk/2015/09/01/giant_sea_scorpion/

Hays, Brooks. 1 September 2015. “Scientists Discover Ancient Six-Foot-Long Sea Scorpion.” UPI > Science News. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2015/09/01/Scientists-discover-ancient-six-foot-long-sea-scorpion/2191441113267/

Kaplan, Sarah. 1 September 2015. “Scientists Find Earth’s First Big Predator: A Terrifying Giant Sea Scorpion.” The Sydney Morning Herald > Environment > Animals. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://www.smh.com.au/environment/animals/monstrous-ancient-sea-scorpion-discovered-in-us-grew-to-nearly-183-metres-long-20150901-gjcxrw.html

Lamsdell, James C.; Briggs, Derek E.G.; Liu, Huaibao P.; Witzke, Brian J.; and McKay, Robert M. 31 August 2015. “The Oldest Described Eurypterid: A Giant Ordovician (Darriwilian) Megalograptid from the Winneshiek Lagerstätte of Iowa.” BMC Evolutionary Biology 15:169. doi.org/10.1186/s12862-015-0443-9. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2148/15/169
  • Available @ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281521147_The_oldest_described_eurypterid_a_giant_Middle_Ordovician_Darriwilian_megalograptid_from_the_Winneshiek_Lagerstatte_of_Iowa
  • Available @ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4556007/

Martin, Sean. 1 September 2015. “Fossilised ‘Giant Sea Scorpion’ Discovered in Iowa. International Business Times > Science. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/fossilised-giant-sea-scorpion-discovered-iowa-1517523

Payne, Ed. 1 September 1, 2015. “Met the Scorpion’s Prehistoric, Bigger, Badder Cousin.” CNN > U.S. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/01/us/prehistoric-sea-scorpion/index.html

Pratt, Sara E. 7 July 2013. “Iowa Impact Crater Confirmed.” Earth > Magazine. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://www.earthmagazine.org/article/iowa-impact-crater-confirmed

The Associated Press. 1 September 2015. “Giant Sea Scorpion May Have Been Earth’s 1st Big Predator.” CBC News > Technology & Science. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/giant-sea-scorpion-may-have-been-earth-s-1st-big-predator-1.3211106?cmp=rss

Winston, Joel. 31 August 2015. “Giant ‘Sea Scorpion’ Fossil Discovered.” EurekAlert! > Public Releases. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://www.earthmagazine.org/article/iowa-impact-crater-confirmed

Yale University. 1 September 2015. “Meet Pentecopterus, a Giant Sea Scorpion: Predator from Prehistoric Seas.” Science Daily > Releases. Retrieved September 3, 2015.

  • Available @ http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/09/150901100545.htm

 

Decorah Crater: 470- million-year-old meteorite crater concealed beneath bedrock and, at depth of 50-p feet below Upper Iowa River's bottom, Winneshiek Shale Lagerstätte sediments, which yield extraordinarily well-preserved fossils such as Pentecopterus

Three-dimensional (3D) view of Decorah, Iowa and the Upper Iowa River: Scene is looking due north. Crater, known as Decorah Impact Structure, was discovered during 2008-2009 mineral survey by Iowa Geological and Water Survey.
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/3-d-perspective-view-decorah-impact
https://www.usgs.gov/media/images/3-d-perspective-view-decorah-impact
the end which is also the beginning
the end which is also the beginning

Gold Scorpio Zodiac Charm, 10k by Charm America ~ 10k Gold Charm with Rhodium Center

More than a zodiac symbol for late October - late November births, Scorpius is a large Southern Hemisphere constellation honoring a brave scorpion elevated to the sky by Zeus ~ P. decorahensis emerges as prehistoric warrior (predator) of the seas.
scorpion themed products

Prehistoric Sea Beasts by Matthew Rake ~ illustrated by Simon Mendez ~ If Extinct Beasts Came to Life series

Chapter Two: Big Nipper -- Sea Scorpion or Eurypterid
Prehistoric Sea Beasts (If Extinct Beasts Came to Life)

Decorah, Iowa - Panoramic Map: Available as Art Print and as Premium Giclée Print ~ Available now via AllPosters

1870 bird's-eye view of Decorah, Iowa with Iowa River flowing through and Upper Iowa River (site of discovery of Pentecopterus decorahensis) on outskirts
Decorah, Iowa - Panoramic Map

Me and my purrfectly purrfect Maine coon kittycat, Augusta "Gusty" Sunshine

Gusty and I thank you for reading this article and hope that our product selection interests you; Gusty Gus receives favorite treats from my commissions.
DerdriuMarriner, All Rights Reserved
DerdriuMarriner, All Rights Reserved
Updated: 03/01/2024, DerdriuMarriner
 
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DerdriuMarriner on 09/03/2015

blackspanielgallery, Considering all the development worldwide, it's amazing that anything still gets found!

blackspanielgallery on 09/03/2015

It is amazing what fossils can be found.

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