Euphoberia tracta
Order Archipolypoda; Family Euphoberiidae (Extinct)
Geological Time: Carboniferous, Westphalian Stage
Size: Millipede fossil is 40 mm long
Fossil Site: Mazon Creek, Francis Creek Shale, Braidwood, Illinois
 Description:
The Mazon Creek deposits of the
region near Braidwood, Illinois rival the other famous Lagerstatten
of the Burgess Shale, Solnhofen,
and Chengjiang for the variety
of detailed life preserved. Many exquisitely-preserved specimens are
found in the ironstone nodules that make up the deposits. The majority
of collecting areas are the spoil heaps of abandoned coal mines, the
most famous of which is Peabody Coal Pit 11. Pit 11 now
serves as a cooling pond for the Braidwood nuclear power plant, but
with over 100 other localities, specimens still come to light. This
fine example is one of the spiny millipedes known as Euphoberia tracta.
The fossil history of millipedes dates back to the Silurian, with
some fossil burrows which may be attributed to millipedes having been
found in the Devonian. Since millipedes live in habitats such as moist
forest floors, fossilization is a very chancy occurrence. It is thought
that they made the transition to fully terrestrial forms early in
their evolutionary history. These are thought to have led a cursorial
existence in more open habitats where their spines would have aided
in warding off would-be predators. |
