Pulmonoscorpius

Taxobox
name = "Pulmonoscorpius"
fossil_range = Visean

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image_caption = Pulmonoscopius
image_width = 290px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
classis = Arachnida
ordo = Scorpiones
infraordo = Mesoscorpionina
genus = "Pulmonoscorpius"
species = "P. kirktonensis"
binomial = "Pulmonoscorpius kirktonensis"

"Pulmonoscorpius kirktonensis" is a giant, extinct species of scorpion that lived during the Visean epoch of the Carboniferous. Its fossils were found at East Kirkton, West Lothian in Scotland. In life, this monstrous species would have grown to be up to 1 meter in length, and bore a superficial similarity to smaller, modern scorpions."Pulmonoscorpius" was thought to have reached such a large size because of the higher atmospheric oxygen content in the Carboniferous. This was 35%, whereas today's is only 20%. It is believed to be a diurnal hunter because of the presence of relatively large lateral compound eyes, which have atrophied in the primarily nocturnal modern scorpions.As with all other known scorpions, "P. kirktonensis" is assumed to have been a predator. However, because the stinger was comparatively much larger than its chelae, it probably used its venom to subdue, and possibly begin digestion of its prey, rather than seizing and tearing it apart with its chelae. It is, due to its large size, thought to have eaten small tetrapods.

In Popular Culture

It was featured in episode 5 of the ITV documentary series, "Prehistoric Park", where it is suggested that "P. kirktonensis"' venom is harmless to mammals, as mammals had yet to evolve during the giant scorpion's time.

External links

*http://www.langsfossils.com/museum/pages/m-scld-002.htm
*http://dml.cmnh.org/1999Jun/msg00432.html
*http://www.sdnhm.org/research/readings/fossil_insects.html