Abstract
AbstractHerein additional and better-preserved instances of eurypterid specimens with opisthosoma preserved in strong lateral bends are documented, bolstering the evidence for potential lateral tail striking among various eurypterid species. Contrary to dissenting suggestions, such specimens remain fully articulated, and the opisthosoma exoskeleton of many eurypterids appears adapted to permit a wide range of lateral motion. Observation of long telson spines and prominent dorsal telson keels across the Eurypterida reveals that the two traits are negatively correlated. This indicates that the function of a spiniform telson was incompatible with an opisthosoma that generated strong lateral hydraulic resistance and therefore supports the hypothesis that, when present, eurypterids may have used their long telson spines as laterally striking weapons.
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