A new species of extinct 'monster' sea scorpions, has been identified by scientists for the first time in Queensland.
Queensland Museum discovered the new species known as, Woodwardopterus freemanorum after revisiting a fossil 'cold case' in its geosciences collection.
The new species is the first fossil evidence of sea scorpions (eurypterid) in Queensland and is believed to have been among the largest predators in the region.
A new species of extinct 'monster' sea scorpions, known as Woodwardopterus freemanorum (pictured), has been identified by scientists for the first time in Queensland.
'This new animal from Theodore was a massive monster, probably over a metre in length and had lived in freshwater lakes, or rivers, in the Theodore area,' the museum said in a statement.
The fossil was initially brought to the attention of the museum in 2013, after it was discovered in the 1990s by Nick Freeman on his family property in Theodore.
At the time palaeontologists couldn't figure out what group of animals it belonged to but held onto it until Covid-19 lockdowns prompted the museum to revisit the case.
Queensland museum Associate Professor Dr Andrew Rozefelds (pictured) said the 'fossil case' was revisted due to Covid-19 lockdowns
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Share'When the fragmentary specimen came into our collection, it was initially placed in the "Too-Hard Basket" but the closures provided the opportunity to study and reassess some of our fossil collection and this particular fossil had always intrigued me,' The museum's Associate Professor Dr Andrew Rozefelds said.
The fossil is dated to 252 million years ago and is believed to be evidence of the last eurypterid known from anywhere in the world before end-Permian extinction.
Sea scorpions are an extinct group of invertebrates part of the Chelicerae family which includes living species like scorpions and spiders.
The species are described as 'massive animals' that could measure up to two metres in length.
The fossil is dated to 252 million years ago and is believed to be evidence of the last eurypterid (pictured) known from anywhere in the world before end-Permian extinction.
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