Weinbergina, a xiphosuran arthropod from the devonian hunsrück slate

Abstract

Weinbergina is the first synziphosurid in which ventral appendages have been found. It is so far unique among chelicerates in having six pairs of prosomal legs in addition to the chelicerae. This indicates that the pregeni tal segment with the last pair of walking legs, corresponding to the chilaria of Limulus, must be counted with the prosoma. The first interpretation of the opisthosomal appendages is given. They appear to be plate-like and to combine the presence of lamellar gills of limulid type with flattened spines (so called gill filaments) of trilobitomorph type. Weinbergina apparently was adapted for a life on soft substrate but not for burrowing. © 1981 E. Schweizerbart'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung.