Phylum Arthropoda,
Class Merostomata, Order Xiphosurida
Geologic Age: Ordovician
Fossil
is 44 mm long
Fezouata Formation, Zagora, Morocco
Remarks: Horseshoe crabs are often called “living fossils” because
they have changed little over geologic time. over time. Trilobites are
related to ancient horseshoe, but the relationship is distant. Still, they
look a lot like trilobites (Harpetids particularly), especially the ealier
horseshoe crabs, or thier ancestors like this Ordovician Xiphosurida.
Also see:
Trilobite Relatives |
