Haptopoda
Encyclopedia
Haptopoda is an extinct arachnid order known exclusively from only eight specimens from the Upper Carboniferous
of Coseley
, Staffordshire
, United Kingdom
. It is monotypic, i.e. has only one species, Plesiosiro madeleyi described by Reginald Innes Pocock
in his important 1911 monograph on British Carboniferous arachnids. The original locality from which these fossils originate is no longer available thus it is unclear whether any further examples will be found.
The original fossils have been redescribed in detail by Alexander Petrunkevitch
in 1949 and Dunlop in 1999. A supposed example from the Coal Measures of Lancashire is a misidentification.
); the most primitive group of the living harvestmen (Opiliones
). These harvestmen do, in some ways, resemble the reconstructed body plan of the haptopods.
Revisions have confirmed that Haptopoda should be treated as a separate and independent order. The most recent study tentatively recognised a group named Schizotarsata Shultz, 2007 comprising Haptopoda, Amblypygi (whip spiders), Uropygi (whip scorpions) and Schizomida (schizomids). All share the character of a subdivided tarsus (or foot) which gives the group its name.
(1955) tried to standardize the endings of the arachnid orders.
Haptopoda originates from Greek "haptos" (= tangible, subject to the sense of touch) + "pous, podos" (= foot) and refers to its quite long front pair of legs with their subdivided tips which look as though they might have been used to 'feel' their way around in front of the animal.
Carboniferous
The Carboniferous is a geologic period and system that extends from the end of the Devonian Period, about 359.2 ± 2.5 Mya , to the beginning of the Permian Period, about 299.0 ± 0.8 Mya . The name is derived from the Latin word for coal, carbo. Carboniferous means "coal-bearing"...
of Coseley
Coseley
Coseley is a town located mostly within the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley in the English West Midlands. Part of the Black Country, it lies south east of Wolverhampton and north of Dudley....
, Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It is monotypic, i.e. has only one species, Plesiosiro madeleyi described by Reginald Innes Pocock
Reginald Innes Pocock
Reginald Innes Pocock F.R.S. was a British zoologist.Pocock was born in Clifton, Bristol, the fourth son of Rev. Nicholas Pocock and Edith Prichard. He began showing interest in natural history at St. Edward's School, Oxford. He received tutoring in zoology from Sir Edward Poulton, and was allowed...
in his important 1911 monograph on British Carboniferous arachnids. The original locality from which these fossils originate is no longer available thus it is unclear whether any further examples will be found.
The original fossils have been redescribed in detail by Alexander Petrunkevitch
Alexander Petrunkevitch
Alexander Ivanovitch Petrunkevitch was an eminent arachnologist of his time. From 1910 to 1939 he described over 130 spider species.-Biography:...
in 1949 and Dunlop in 1999. A supposed example from the Coal Measures of Lancashire is a misidentification.
Relationships
Relationships with other arachnids are obscure. Plesiosiro means "close to Siro", which is a genus of cyphophthalmid (CyphophthalmiCyphophthalmi
The Cyphophthalmi are a suborder of harvestmen, with about 36 genera, and more than hundred described species.The six families are currently grouped into two infraorders, the Tropicophthalmi and the Temperophthalmi; however, these are not supported by modern phylogenetic analysis.They are smaller...
); the most primitive group of the living harvestmen (Opiliones
Opiliones
Opiliones are an order of arachnids commonly known as harvestmen. , over 6,400 species of harvestmen have been discovered worldwide, although the real number of extant species may exceed 10,000. The order Opiliones can be divided into four suborders: Cyphophthalmi, Eupnoi, Dyspnoi and Laniatores...
). These harvestmen do, in some ways, resemble the reconstructed body plan of the haptopods.
Revisions have confirmed that Haptopoda should be treated as a separate and independent order. The most recent study tentatively recognised a group named Schizotarsata Shultz, 2007 comprising Haptopoda, Amblypygi (whip spiders), Uropygi (whip scorpions) and Schizomida (schizomids). All share the character of a subdivided tarsus (or foot) which gives the group its name.
Names
The order has also been called Haptopodida; the ending -ida originated when PetrunkevitchAlexander Petrunkevitch
Alexander Ivanovitch Petrunkevitch was an eminent arachnologist of his time. From 1910 to 1939 he described over 130 spider species.-Biography:...
(1955) tried to standardize the endings of the arachnid orders.
Haptopoda originates from Greek "haptos" (= tangible, subject to the sense of touch) + "pous, podos" (= foot) and refers to its quite long front pair of legs with their subdivided tips which look as though they might have been used to 'feel' their way around in front of the animal.