Xiphosura

Xiphosura (; , in reference to its sword-like telson) is an order of arthropods related to arachnids. They are more commonly known as horseshoe crabs (a name applied more specifically to the only extant family, Limulidae). They first appear in the fossil record in the Early Ordovician, around 480 million years ago. Currently, there are only four living species. Xiphosura contains one suborder, Xiphosurida, and several stem-genera.

family of arthropods

species of arthropods

species of arthropods

species of arthropods

species of arthropods

Tachypleus is a genus of south, southeast and east Asian horseshoe crabs in the family Limulidae.

Limulus is a genus of horseshoe crab, with one extant species, the Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus). One fossil species is currently assigned to the genus though several other species have been named, which have since been assigned to other genera.

Mesolimulus is an extinct genus of horseshoe crab. The best known examples are found in Solnhofen limestone near Solnhofen, Bavaria, Germany. Originally assigned to the living genus Limulus, they are related to and look virtually identical to modern horseshoe crabs. Other species assigned to Mesolimulus have been recorded spanning over 140 million years from the Middle Triassic to Late Cretaceous from England, Spain, Siberia and Morocco.

Gland found in some arthropods

Lunataspis is the oldest known xiphosuran, with three known species all dating from the late Ordovician (latest Sandbian for L. borealis, Katian for L. gundersoni, earliest Hirnantian for L. aurora).

Euproops is an extinct genus of xiphosuran, related to the modern horseshoe crab. It lived during the Carboniferous Period.