Abstract Scorpions (Arachnida: Scorpiones Koch, 1837) are an ancient chelicerate
arthropod lineage characterised by distinctive subdivision of the opisthosoma and …

ABSTRACT'Virtual palaeontology', the study of fossils through the medium of digital models,
is an increasingly important palaeontological technique. The vast majority of such work is …

Ecdysis, the process of moulting an exoskeleton, is one of the key characters uniting
arthropods, nematodes and a number of smaller phyla into Ecdysozoa. The arthropod fossil …

Arachnids are an important group of arthropods. They are: diverse and abundant; a major
constituent of many terrestrial ecosystems; and possess a deep and extensive fossil record …

Carbonate concretions may preserve exceptional soft-tissue fossils. Organismal decay in
sediment can produce HCO3− faster than it diffuses away, creating a local …

Scorpions are among the first animals to have become fully terrestrialised. Their early fossil
record is limited, and fundamental questions, including how and when they adapted to life …

Successfully placing fossils in phylogenies is integral to understanding the tree of life. Crown-
group Paleozoic members of the arachnid order Opiliones are indicative of ancient origins …

Spiders (Araneae) are a hugely successful lineage with a long history. Details of their origins
remain obscure, with little knowledge of their stem group and few insights into the sequence …

Spiders are an important animal group, with a long history. Details of their origins remain
limited, with little knowledge of their stem group, and no insights into the sequence of …

Background Few studies on eurypterids have taken into account morphological changes
that occur throughout postembryonic development. Here two species of eurypterid are …