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Weinbergina, a xiphosuran arthropod from the devonian hunsrück slate

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Kurzfassung

Weinbergina ist der erste Synziphosuride, bei dem die ventralen Gliedmaßen gefunden werden konnten. Unter den Cheliceraten istWeinbergina mit 6 prosomalen Beinpaaren zusätzlich zu den Cheliceren einmalig. Daraus folgt, daß das prägenitale Segment mit dem letzten Paar Laufbeinen, entsprechend den Chilarien beiLimulus, zum Prosoma gerechnet werden muß. Eine erste Deutung der opisthosomalen Gliedmaßäen wird versucht. Sie erscheinen abgeflacht und eine Kombination der lamellaren Kiemen desLimulus-Typs mit den abgeflachten Dornen (»Kiemen-Fäden«) des trilobitomorphen Typs zu sein.Weinbergina war offensichtlich an ein Leben auf einem weichen Substrat, nicht aber an Wühlen und Graben angepaßt.

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 ofLimulus, 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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Burgbergstraþ 20, 8520, Erlangen, West Germany

    Wilhelm Stürmer

  2. Sveriges Geologiska Undersökning, Lundafilialen, Tunavägen 35, S-22363, Lund

    Jan Bergström

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  1. Wilhelm Stürmer
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  2. Jan Bergström
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Stürmer, W., Bergström, J. Weinbergina, a xiphosuran arthropod from the devonian hunsrück slate. Paläont. Z. 55, 237–255 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02988142

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