Author:
Qjure
Book:
Qjurious
Type:
Info
Chapter:
4-452.00.00
Xiphosura
English: Horseshoe crabs.
Synonym: Merostomata.
Clades: Chelicerata; Arthropoda; Animals.
Introduction
Xiphosurales is a Order in Chelicerata.
Xiphosura have hardly changed in hundreds of millions of years and are considered living fossils.
Taxonomy
Xiphosura were traditionally placed in the class Merostomata, including Eurypterida. Merostomata turned out to be paraphyletic. Now Eurypterida is classified within Sclerophorata together with the arachnids, and therefore, Merostomata is now a synonym of Xiphosura.
Familes
Xiphosurida
Limulidae