Mike and Sue from Everything Dinosaur recently visited the Sedgwick Museum in Cambridge. During their trip, they spotted a colourful eurypterid size chart on display. It immediately caught their attention.

A largest eurypterid size chart on display at the Sedgwick Museum (Cambridge). The Devonian freshwater eurypterid Jaekelopterus rhenaniae is the largest discovered to date and perhaps the biggest invertebrate of all time. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Eurypterid Size Chart

The size chart shows seven different eurypterids.  The smallest is Megarachne servinei which is known from the Late Carboniferous of Argentina.  When it was described, it was thought to be a spider. As such, it would have been the largest spider known to science. However, several eurypterids were much bigger.  For example, the largest eurypterid in the diagram, indeed possibly the largest invertebrate of all time is Jaekelopterus rhenaniae.

The stunning 1:20 scale CollectA Deluxe Jaekelopterus rhenaniae model. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The picture (above) shows the CollectA Deluxe 1:20 scale Jaekelopterus rhenaniae figure. It is a spectacular model.

To view the range of CollectA Deluxe figures in stock: CollectA Deluxe Scale Models.

“Sea Scorpions”

Eurypterids, also known as sea scorpions, are fascinating creatures. Scientists have described around 250 different species. They were active predators. Using their chelicerae, they hunted invertebrates and even primitive fish.

At first, all eurypterids lived in the sea. They were entirely marine. However, things began to change over time. By the Late Devonian and Carboniferous, freshwater species had evolved.

The story of their discovery is also remarkable. In 1818, the very first eurypterid fossil came to light in New York State. At the time, it was thought that this fossil represented an early fish.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“The Sedgwick Museum offers a fantastic experience. Its collection includes extremely important fossil discoveries. In addition, visitors find it far less crowded than the London Natural History Museum.”

The Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys and Models.