Early Devonian eurypterids with Bohemian affinities from Catalonia (NE Spain)

Abstract

The sequence of early Lower Devonian (Lochkovian) strata with dominant anchimetamorphic shales of the Olorda Formation yielded numerous remains of eurypterids. These belong to the Family Pterygotidae and are represented by dominant species of Acutiramus (closely related or identical with the Bohemian species Acutiramus bohemicus and A. perneri), and rare finds of Pterygotus cf. barrandei. The eurypterids are typical components of a purely marine assemblage of the offshore, probably open shelf environment of Benthic Assemblage 4 to 5. The clearly expressed Bohemian affinity points to open migration routes along the northern Gondwana shelves between Bohemia and Catalonia during the early Devonian, particularly Lochkovian time.