Xiphosurid Horseshoe Crab Ancestor with Preserved Limbs

Part and Counterpart

Xiphosurid Horseshoe Crab Ancestor

Class Merostomata, Order Xiphosurida

Geological Time: Ordovician

Size (25.4 mm = 1 inch): Fossil is 22 mm long by 17 mm wide on a 100 mm by 40 mm and 80 mm by 40 mm matrix pair

Fossil Site: Fezouata Formation, Zagora, Morocco

Fossil Code: 15055

Price: Sold


Xiphosurid Fossil for SaleThis arthropod is a member of the Xiphosurida. These ancient relatives resemble the modern-day horseshoe crabs referred to some as “living fossils” due to the fact that they have changed but little over time. This one is in excellent shape, showing detail of the prosoma (head), opisthosoma (abdomen) and walking legs in both part and counterpart. This is the first example I have had that preserves limbs. Sometimes it is difficult in photographs to determine part and counterpart. The positive in on the larger matrix half. See my other postings for an example with preserved chelicerae.

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