2017/11/27 by Matthew B. Vrazo, Samuel J. Ciurca · 1 citation
Engineering · Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Biomimetic flight and propulsion mechanisms #Bat Biology and Ecology Studies #Underwater Vehicles and Communication Systems #Trace fossil #Lagerstätte #Paleontology #Geology #Appendage #Ichnology #Bathymetry #Juvenile #Biology #Oceanography #Ecology
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/pala.12336
openalex publication_date 2017/11/27 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
Abstract We describe a recently discovered trace fossil from a eurypterid Konservat‐Lagerstätte in the upper Silurian Tonoloway Formation of Pennsylvania, and formally describe contemporaneous traces from the Williamsville Formation Lagerstätte of Ontario. The traces from both localities are assigned here to Arcuites bertiensis igen. et isp. nov. Based on comparisons with previously described eurypterid trackways, neoichnological experiments, and the co‐occurrence with eurypterid remains, Arcuites is interpreted as having been made by the swimming leg (sixth prosomal appendage) of swimming juvenile to adult eurypteroid eurypterids, and represents the first unambiguous trace fossil evidence for eurypterid swimming behaviour. The morphology of Arcuites indicates that eurypteroid eurypterids swam using drag‐based rowing, whereby the animal propelled itself forward by moving its oar blade‐like swimming paddles in an in‐phase backstroke. Arcuites morphology also indicates that the eurypteroid swimming appendage had a greater degree of movement than was previously suggested, and a revised rowing model is proposed. Differences in the abundance of A . bertiensis in the Tonoloway and Williamsville formations suggest a bathymetric control on eurypterid swimming behaviour and trace production. The association of Arcuites with eurypterid body fossils in both units indicates that these Lagerstätten were autochthonous assemblages and provides additional evidence for eurypterid inhabitation of shallow subtidal marine environments in the late Silurian.