Eurypterid

/jʊˈrɪptərɪd/ noun

Definition

An extinct aquatic arthropod from ancient seas that looked like a giant scorpion, some growing as long as a school bus.

Etymology

From the genus Eurypterus plus the suffix '-id'. The genus name comes from Greek 'eury-' (wide) and 'pteron' (wing or fin).

Kelly Says

The largest eurypterid, Jaekelopterus, was over 8 feet long and dominated ancient seas 460 million years ago—imagine encountering that while swimming in the Paleozoic ocean!

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