December 2, 2012
1. A group of extinct arthropods that were fearsome marine predators of the Paleozoic. There were over 200 different species of eurypterid, and they ranged from very small (less than 20 cm) to very large (greater than 8 feet). Because of their long tail, eurypterids are sometimes called “sea scorpions.” Indeed, they are closely related to today’s scorpions and other arachnids. One species of eurypterid, Eurypterus remipes, is the state fossil of New York.
2. A really, really cool fossil that I one day hope to add to my rock collection.
***Thanks to Liz Johnson for suggesting this week’s word, inspired by my own What to Buy a Geologist for Christmas: 2012 Edition post. Thanks also to Tony Martin for providing the wonderful picture of eurypterid fossils.***