Scientists have discovered the fossilised remains of a giant sea scorpion which lived 467 million years ago during a dig in north-east Iowa.
The Pentecopterus decorahensis - named after an ancient Greek ship rowed by 50 oarsmen during the Trojan War - grew to nearly six feet. With an exoskeleton "helmet" which shielded its head, a sleek narrow body, large limbs for grasping prey and a paddle-like leg used to swim, the sea scorpion was one of the top ocean predators of its time.
Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's PDF Great Plains chapter from the USA guidebook
USA - Great Plains (Chapter)
Coverage includes: Missouri, St Louis & Around, Along I-70, The Ozarks, Kansas City & Around, Iowa, Des Moines, Madison County, Along I-80, Along US 30, Along US 20, North Dakota, Along I-94, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Along US 2, South Dakota, Sioux Falls, Along I-90, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Black Hills, Nebraska, Omaha & Around, Lincoln, Along I-80, Along US 20, Kansas, Wichita, Along I-70, Along US 50, Along US 56, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Green Country.
The Pentecopterus decorahensis - named after an ancient Greek ship rowed by 50 oarsmen during the Trojan War - grew to nearly six feet. With an exoskeleton "helmet" which shielded its head, a sleek narrow body, large limbs for grasping prey and a paddle-like leg used to swim, the sea scorpion was one of the top ocean predators of its time.
USA - Great Plains (Chapter)
Coverage includes: Missouri, St Louis & Around, Along I-70, The Ozarks, Kansas City & Around, Iowa, Des Moines, Madison County, Along I-80, Along US 30, Along US 20, North Dakota, Along I-94, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Along US 2, South Dakota, Sioux Falls, Along I-90, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Black Hills, Nebraska, Omaha & Around, Lincoln, Along I-80, Along US 20, Kansas, Wichita, Along I-70, Along US 50, Along US 56, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Green Country.
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