Project 5014: E. J. Long, G. D. Edgecombe, B. Clark, C. Hatch, A. D. Ball, X. Ma. 2024. Mouthpart morphology and feeding structures in the palaeocharinid trigonotarbids of the Rhynie chert: insights from comparisons to modern arachnids. Palaeontology. 67 (4):null.
Specimen: † Palaeocharinus calmani (NHMUK/PI:NHMUK PI In 24675)
View: Lateral view of mouthparts

Abstract

Trigonotarbida, an extinct order of spider‐like arachnids, were significant predators between the late Silurian and early Permian. Characterized by their segmented opisthosoma, clasp‐knife chelicera, and paired book lungs, they played a pivotal role in the formation of Lower Devonian terrestrial ecosystems. However, the compression‐fossil or mould preservation of most trigonotarbids has been a limiting factor in understanding their fine morphology. Here, we re‐examine the mouthparts of Palaeocharinus, a trigonotarbid genus from the c. 408 Ma Rhynie chert of Scotland. Rhynie preserves the palaeocharinid trigonotarbids in three dimensions with extraordinary fidelity, offering detailed insights into their anatomy, feeding and hunting behaviours, and phylogenetic position. Here we present the first confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) data for Palaeocharinus using three‐dimensional modelling to reconstruct the morphology of a tiered filtration apparatus, comprising a coarse outer mesh of interlacing plumose setae and a fine inner filter of pinnate setae. Together with the clasp‐knife action of the chelicera and mastication by the cheliceral teeth, Palaeocharinus emerges as a sophisticated terrestrial predator with a feeding mechanism resembling that of extant representatives of Pedipalpi (Amblypygi + Uropygi + Schizomida). Phylogenetic analyses with new and modified mouthpart characters affirm the placement of Trigonotarbida within Pantetrapulmonata (Aranaeae + Pedipalpi). This study provides insights into the evolutionary innovations that facilitated the diversification and proliferation of trigonotarbids in early terrestrial landscapes.


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Article DOI: 10.1111/pala.12717

Project DOI: 10.7934/P5014, http://dx.doi.org/10.7934/P5014
This project containsMatrices
  • 1 Media
  • 1 Matrix
  • 2 Documents
  • 93 Taxa
  • 1 Specimen
  • 237 Characters
Total size of project's media files: 860.52k

Download Project SDD File
Total scored cells: 17026
Total media associated with cells: 0
Total labels associated with cell media: 0
Characters
Total characters: 237
Total characters with associated media: 0
Total characters with media with labels: 0
Total character states: 535
Total character states with associated media: 0
Total character states with media with labels:0
Total unordered/ordered characters:237/0
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MorphoBank Project 5014

    Authors' Institutions

    • Natural History Museum, London

    • University of Exeter



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    Emma Long
    Project Administrator
    93110237000017026
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    Taxonomic Overview for Matrix 'M29598' (91 Taxa)

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    [1] Emeraldella Xenopod
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1127878047001
    [2] Alalcomenaeus Megacheira
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1158383039001
    [3] Leanchoilia Megacheira
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1267474037001
    [4] Achelia Pycnogonida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    37124123077001
    [5] Callipallene Pycnogonida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    37124123077001
    [6] Endeis Pycnogonida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    37122121079001
    [7] Colossendeis Pycnogonida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    37123122078001
    [8] Haliestes Pycnogonida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    898281067001
    [9] Palaeoisopus Pycnogonida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1099291037001
    [10] Limulus Xiphosura
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    13194194030001
    [11] Carcinoscorpius Xiphosura
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    14193193030001
    [12] Dibasterium Xiphosura
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1199292026001
    [13] Offacolus Xiphosura
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1219090026001
    [14] Weinbergina Xiphosura
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1259393019001
    [15] Atypoides Araneae
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    5211211021001
    [16] Liphistius Araneae
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    5210210022001
    [17] Aphonopelma Araneae
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    4212212021001
    [18] Nesticus Araneae
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    4213212021001
    [19] Tetragnathidae Araneae
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    4213212021001
    [20] Corinnidae Araneae
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    4213212021001
    [21] Pholcidae Araneae
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    4213212021001
    [22] Lyssomanes Araneae
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    2215214021001
    [23] Parastylonurus Eurypterida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    101114114022001
    [24] Mixopterus Eurypterida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    101114114022001
    [25] Eurypterus Eurypterida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    98117117022001
    [26] Chasmataspis Chasmataspidida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1685757012001
    [27] Octoberaspis Chasmataspidida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1715555011001
    [28] Waeringoscorpio Scorpiones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1487979010001
    [29] Pulmonoscorpius Scorpiones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    112110110015001
    [30] Palaeoscorpius Scorpiones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1388989010001
    [31] Compsoscorpius Scorpiones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1289898011001
    [32] Proscorpius Scorpiones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1259999013001
    [33] Pandinus Scorpiones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    11208208018001
    [34] Belisarius Scorpiones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    11208208018001
    [35] Androctonus Scorpiones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    11208208018001
    [36] Pseudocellus Ricinulei
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    8195194035001
    [37] Ricinoides Ricinulei
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    7196195035001
    [38] Idmonarachne Idmonarachne
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1408383014001
    [39] Chimerarachne Chimerarachne
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    126101100011001
    [40] Palaeocharinus Trigonotarbida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    82136136019001
    [41] Anthracomartus Trigonotarbida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1269494017001
    [42] Eophrynus Trigonotarbida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1368181020001
    [43] Plesiosiro Haptopoda
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1338989015001
    [44] Trithyreus Schizomida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    12203202023001
    [45] Stenochrus Schizomida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    8207206023001
    [46] Mastigoproctus Uropygi
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    0219218019001
    [47] Paraphrynus Amblypygi
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1219219017001
    [48] Charon Amblypygi
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1219219017001
    [49] Musicodamon Amblypygi
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1219219017001
    [50] Charinus Amblypygi
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    3217217017001
    [51] Paracharon Amblypygi
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    5214214018001
    [52] Stygophrynus Amblypygi
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    3217217017001
    [53] Weygoldtina Amblypygi
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1388787012001
    [54] Paracharonopsis Amblypygi
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    114112112011001
    [55] Kronocharon Amblypygi
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    124103103010001
    [56] Eukoenenia b Palpigradi
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    17185184036001
    [57] Eukoenenia a Palpigradi
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    17185184036001
    [58] Uraraneida Uraraneida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1428282013001
    [59] Eophalangium Opiliones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1407675022001
    [60] Hastocularis Opiliones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    1319190016001
    [61] Siro Opiliones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    13192191033001
    [62] Stylocellus Opiliones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    14193192031001
    [63] Sabacon Opiliones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    12192190035001
    [64] Nemastoma Opiliones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    12192190035001
    [65] Odiellus Opiliones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    12192190035001
    [66] Leiobunum Opiliones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    12192190035001
    [67] Caddo Opiliones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    12192190035001
    [68] Pachyloides Opiliones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    12192190035001
    [69] Zuma Opiliones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    12192190035001
    [70] Chthonius Pesudoscorpiones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    14193191032001
    [71] Pseudogarypus Pesudoscorpiones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    15190189033001
    [72] Neobisium Pesudoscorpiones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    13193192032001
    [73] Anagarypus Pesudoscorpiones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    13193192032001
    [74] Americhernes Pesudoscorpiones
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    13193192032001
    [75] Allothyrus Parasitiformes Holothyrida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    23175175039001
    [76] Opilioacarus Parasitiformes Opilioacarida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    20178178039001
    [77] Amblyomma Parasitiformes Ixodida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    16182182039001
    [78] Chanbria Solifugae
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    9177176052001
    [79] Gluvia Solifugae
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    9177176052001
    [80] Eusimonia Solifugae
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    9177176052001
    [81] Eremobates Solifugae
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    9177176052001
    [82] Alicorhagia Acariformes Endeostigmata
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    25170170042001
    [83] Palaeacarus Acariformes Oribatida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    24175175038001
    [84] Microcaeculus Acariformes Anystina
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    25175175037001
    [85] Limnesia Acariformes Hydrachnida
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    25173173039001
    [86] Leptus Acariformes Parasitengona
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    26172172039001
    [87] Sancassania Acariformes Astigmata
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    24169169044001
    [88] Anystis acariformes Anystina
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    26174174037001
    [89] Labidostomma Acariformes Labidostommatides
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    27172172038001
    [90] Eupodes Acariformes Eupodina
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    26172172039001
    [91] Tetranychus Acariformes Eleutherengonides
    Taxon name last Modified on 12/21/23
    25171171041001


    Project downloads

    type number of downloads Individual items downloaded (where applicable)
    Total downloads from project4
    Document downloads2Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) scan settings (2 downloads);
    Matrix downloads2Arachnid morphological character matrix (2 downloads);