The fossil of a prehistoric sea scorpion species has recently been identified, by researchers at the Queensland Museum, in Australia. The animal, dubbed the 'big monster', was finally identified after research over the last 10 years.
In a statement, the Queensland Museum, which stores the fossil, said the species Woodwardopterus freemanorum was the first fossil evidence of a prehistoric sea scorpion in an Australian state.
This specimen is also touted as the world's last known fossil, of a prehistoric sea scorpion species.
"This new animal from Theodore is a huge monster, probably over a meter long and has lived in freshwater lakes or rivers in Theodore's area," a Queensland Museum spokesperson said.
It was Nick Freeman, who first discovered the fossil of a prehistoric sea scorpion that was part of his family property near Theodore in central Queensland around 1990.
At that time Freeman did not take the Woodwardopterus freemanorum fossil anywhere, until in 2013 he submitted it for examination by experts at the museum.
After conducting various studies, the team finally managed to identify the fossils of a prehistoric sea scorpion species that is thought to have lived in the area since 252 million years ago.
For his services in finding the animal, Associate Professor at the Queensland Museum Andrew Rozefeld said the Freeman surname was embedded in the naming of a new sea scorpion species.
"He gave it to us hoping we could do something with the fossil. We've never seen anything like this from Australia so far, so we immediately knew the fossil was something different," Rozefeld said.
It also estimates the sea scorpion was once one of the biggest predators in the lakes and rivers around Theodore's area when it was alive.
Last sea scorpion fossil "The sea scorpion (of) Theodore is estimated to have lived 252 million years ago, and after extensive research, this particular fossil turned out to be the last known eurypterid (order of sea scorpions) in the world," said German researcher Markus Poschmann.
On the other hand, Rozefelds said that he and his team will return to studying fossils in the museum, due to the enforcement of regional restrictions in Australia.
"This tantalizing new (prehistoric sea scorpion) fossil helps fill a gap in our knowledge of this group of animals in Australia and around the world," said Poschmann.
