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Fossil Horseshoe Crab
I was showing a living horseshoe crab in my "Neville" thread and mentioned they are considered "living fossils" and appeared in the fossil record as early as 450 million years ago. Here is a c. 300 million year old horseshoe crab, Euproops danae, from Mazon Creek, Illinois. The Carboniferous Era. Much smaller in those days. The other fossil is a larval lungfish from Mazon Creek. Horseshoe crab positive on left and in second photo. Negative on right. Look closely to see tail(telson) on the positive specimem.
Credit: http://www.museum.state.il.us/exhibi...ameID=Euproops
This is the guy from the other day. I said female, but he's a male because they are much smaller then females. Look at all the critters hitching a ride. He was upside down in the sand. Here I've placed him where he can return to the sea. Mating season.
Credit: http://www.museum.state.il.us/exhibi...ameID=Euproops
This is the guy from the other day. I said female, but he's a male because they are much smaller then females. Look at all the critters hitching a ride. He was upside down in the sand. Here I've placed him where he can return to the sea. Mating season.
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