Pseudogarypus synchrotron

Pseudogarypus synchrotron; Temporal range: Priabonian. PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
	specimen in Baltic amber
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Pseudoscorpiones
Family:	Pseudogarypidae
Genus:	Pseudogarypus
Species:	†P. synchrotron
Binomial name
	†Pseudogarypus synchrotron; Henderickx, 2012

Pseudogarypus synchrotron is an

extinct species of pseudoscorpion in the family Pseudogarypidae known from only two Eocene fossils found in Europe. P. synchrotron is one of four species in the genus Pseudogarypus to have been described from fossils.^[1]

History and classification

Pseudogarypus synchrotron is known from two separate fossils, the

Middle Eocene. There is debate on what plant family the amber was produced by, with evidence supporting relatives of either an Agathis relative or a Pseudolarix relative. To get a more detailed view, the holotype specimen was subjected to two series of imaging scans at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. The resulting stereolithographic models and 3-d digital reconstructions were then used for the detailed species description.^[1]

The type specimens were first studied by paleoarachnologist Hans Henderickx of the University of Antwerp with Paul Tafforeau and Carmen Soriano, both of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility. Henderickx's 2011 type description of the new genus and species was published in the journal Palaeontologia Electronica.^[1] The specific epithet synchrotron is in reference to the synchrotron equipment that facilitated the description of areas of the specimen not visible to the naked eye.^[1]

Description

Pseudogarypus synchrotron adults are mid-sized for Pseudogarypus, with a body length of approximately 2.5 millimetres (0.098 in), and show the distinctive body structuring that has horn-like protrusions, projecting ridges and a reticulate patterning to the carapace. This combination of features is found only in Pseudogarypus, making the genus placement easily recognizable. The chelae are distinctly elongated with a length to width ratio of 5:1; only those of Pseudogarypus extensus, also known from Baltic amber, are longer. The mobile finger of the chela has 24 teeth on its inner surface while the fixed finger has 33. The original coloration of the species is not identifiable due to the orange color-yellowish of the amber that encloses the specimens. The oval abdomen is longer than it is wide and has a generally teardrop shape. The thorax hosts two sets of horn-like protrusions, giving it an uneven outline with the larger "horns" placed to the rear.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Henderickx, H.; Tafforeau, P.; Soriano, C (2012). "Phase-contrast synchrotron microtomography reveals the morphology of a partially visible new Pseudogarypus in Baltic amber (Pseudoscorpiones: Pseudogarypidae)". Palaeontologia Electronica. 15 (2, 17A, 11p): 1–11.

External links

Media related to Pseudogarypus synchrotron at Wikimedia Commons

[Hendrickx2012-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Henderickx, H.; Tafforeau, P.; Soriano, C (2012). "Phase-contrast synchrotron microtomography reveals the morphology of a partially visible new Pseudogarypus in Baltic amber (Pseudoscorpiones: Pseudogarypidae)". Palaeontologia Electronica. 15 (2, 17A, 11p): 1–11.

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