On some Arthropod Remains from the Rhynie Chert (Old Red Sandstone)

Abstract

Since writing the first report on the arthropods of the Rhynie Chert beds (see Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (9), xii, pp. 455–74, 5 pls., and 13 text-figs.) some additional specimens of Palaeocharinus have been collected. A few examples are fairly complete and well preserved, showing a considerable amount of structural detail, such as the chaetotaxy, claws of the legs, ornamentation of the chitin, eyes, etc. An account of the lateral eyes is given below. We also include notes on a supposed insect and another fossil arthropod which we refer with doubt to the aquatic Merostoma. All the illustrations in this little paper have been drawn by Miss Violet Borrow, A.R.C.A., with the aid of a camera lucida under our personal supervision.

The development of early terrestrial ecosystems

“…peat) and within galleries in wood in a coal ball (Baxendale, 1979;Scott & Taylor, 1983). Coprolites are also known from the Lower Carboniferous of France and Scotland (Scott, 1977;Scott, Chaloner&Paterson, 1985;Rex&Galtier, 1986) Norton et al (1988), Norton et al (1989), Schawaller, Shear & Bonamo (1991), Selden, Shear & Bonamo (1991), Shear (1986), , Shear et al (1984), Shear et al (1987); Rhynie -Hirst (1922), Hirst & Maulik (1926); Ludford Lane -Jeram, Selden & Edwards (1990); Alkenan-der-Mosel - St0rmer (1970-76); Rheinischen Schiefergebirge -Schultka (1991).…”

Phoretic springtail (Collembola: Sminthuridae) on a false blister beetle (Coleoptera: Oedemeridae) in Eocene Baltic amber

“…The oldest fossils are known from the 400 million-years-old Rhynie Chert of Scotland (HIRST & MAULIK 1926). They are defined by the presence of a ventral tube or collophore and a furca, which consists of three segments and is used predominantly to escape predation.…”

The youngest trigonotarbidPermotarbus schubertin. gen., n. sp. from the Permian Petrified Forest of Chemnitz in Germany

“…This is followed by some exquisitely preserved and three-dimensional fossils assigned to Palaeocharinus Hirst, 1923 (Palaeocharinidae) from the Early Devonian (Pragian: ca. 410 Ma) Rhynie and Windyfield cherts of Scotland (Hirst 1923;Hirst & Maulik 1926;Fayers et al 2005). These silicified fossils are unequivocally of terrestrial animals since they exhibit the oldest evidence for air-breathing book lungs (Claridge & Lyon 1961).…”