Abstract
Chelicerae, the distinctive feeding appendages in chelicerates such as
spiders, scorpions, or horseshoe crabs, can be classified based on their
orientation relative to the longitudinal body axis as either
orthognathous (parallel) or labidognathous (inclined), exhibiting
considerable diversity across various taxa. Among extinct chelicerates,
sea scorpions belonging to the group Pterygotidae represent the
exclusive chelicerates possessing markedly elongated chelicerae. Despite
various hypotheses regarding the potential ecological functions and
feeding movements of these tripartite structures, no comprehensive 3D
kinematic investigation has been conducted yet to test these ideas. In
this study, we generated a comprehensive 3D model of the pterygotid
eurypterid Acutiramus, making the elongated right chelicera movable by
equipping it with virtual joint axes for conducting Range of Motion
analyses. Due to the absence in the fossil record indicating whether the
chelicerae were of a orthognathous or a labidognathous orientation, and
their potential lateral or ventral movements (vertical or horizontal
insertion of joint axis 1), we explored the Range of Motion analyses
under four distinct kinematic settings. The most compelling and
plausible kinematic setting involved orthognathous chelicerae that could
be folded ventrally over a horizontal joint axis. This configuration
positioned the tips of each chelicera closest to the oral opening.
Concerning the maximum excursion angle, our analysis revealed that the
chela could open up to 70°, while it could be retracted against the
basal element to a maximum of 145°. The maximum excursion in the
proximal joint varied between 55°-116° based on the insertion and
orientation. Our findings underscore the utility of applying 3D
kinematics to fossilized arthropods for addressing inquiries on
functional ecology such as prey capture and handling, enabling insights
into their behavioral patterns. Pterygotid sea scorpions likely captured
and processed their prey using the chelicerae, subsequently transporting
it to the oral opening with the assistance of other prosomal appendages.