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Health & Science2h 46m ago

A 415-million-year-old fossil, previously thought to be a giant marine crustacean, has been reclassified as one of the largest scorpions ever discovered based on a new study.

England, London, Canada, Wales, Somerset

Who
Richard J. Howard, Henry Woodward, Praearcturus gigas
What
A 415-million-year-old fossil, previously thought to be a giant marine crustacean, has been reclassified as one of the largest scorpions ever discovered based on a new study.
When
Sun, 14 Jun 2026 20:52:13 GMT · 2h 46m ago
Where
England, London, Canada, Wales, Somerset ·
Why
Comparisons of the Praearcturus fossils with another prehistoric species, Eramoscorpius, revealed a shared distinctive triangular structure, convincing researchers Praearcturus was an early scorpion.
The Frontline Impact

How this affects you

This reclassification of Praearcturus gigas as a giant early scorpion reshapes scientific understanding of scorpion evolution and suggests that large predatory arthropods appeared much earlier than previously believed, during a time when terrestrial ecosystems were only beginning to emerge.

Story chain

4 events in this thread
  1. Currently Reading2h 46m ago
    A 415-million-year-old fossil, previously thought to be a giant marine crustacean, has been reclassified as one of the largest scorpions ever discovered based on a new study.
  2. Health & Science2h 46m ago
    A 415-million-year-old fossil, previously believed to be a giant marine crustacean, has been reclassified as one of the largest scorpions ever discovered.
    Open article
  3. Health & Science2h 46m ago
    A 415-million-year-old fossil, previously thought to be a giant marine crustacean, has been reclassified as one of the largest scorpions ever discovered, Praearcturus gigas.
    Open article
  4. Health & Science2h 46m ago
    A 415-million-year-old fossil, previously thought to be a giant marine crustacean, has been reclassified as one of the largest scorpions ever discovered.
    Open article

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