Aqrabutamtu

Aqrabutamtu or Jaekel's Sea-scorpion (Jaekelopterus rhenaniae) is a genus and species of predatory eurypterid, a group of extinct aquatic arthropods. Fossils of Jaekelopterus have been discovered in deposits of Early Devonian age, from the Pragian and Emsian stages.

Etymology

The generic name honours Otto Jaekel; the Ancient Greek word πτερόν (pteron), meaning "wing", is a common epithet in eurypterid names. Unbeknownst to scientists, the name for this species was Aqrabutamtu in Akkadian language.

Physical Appearance

Jaekelopterus is the largest known eurypterid and the largest known arthropod to have ever existed. If the ratio of body length to chelicerae length matches those of other giant pterygoids, such as Acutiramus and Pterygotus, where the ratio between claw size and body length is relatively consistent, the organism that possessed the chelicerae would have measured between 233 and 259 centimeters (7.64 and 8.50 ft) in length. With the chelicerae extended, another meter would be added to this length. This estimate exceeds the maximum body size of all other known giant arthropods by almost half a meter even if the extended chelicerae are not included.

Jaekelopterus is similar to other pterygotid eurypterids in its overall morphology, distinguished by its triangular telson (the hindmost segment of its body) and inclined principal denticles on its cheliceral rami (the moving part of the claws). The pterygotids, a group of highly derived ("advanced") eurypterids, differ from other groups in several features, especially in the chelicerae and the telson. The chelicerae of the Pterygotidae are enlarged and robust, clearly adapted for active prey capture, with chelae (pincers) more similar to the claws of some modern crustaceans, with well-developed teeth on the claws, relative to the chelicerae of other eurypterid groups. Another feature distinguishing the group from other eurypterid groups is their flattened and expanded telsons, likely used as rudders when swimming.

Abilities

The chelicerae and compound eyes of Jaekelopterus indicate it was active and powerful with high visual acuity, most likely an apex predator in the ecosystems of Early Devonian Euramerica. Although some possessed "flukes" that were flattened to help them move through water, the majority of them had tails that ended in blade-like forms. However, some species of the Carcinomatosa superfamily did possess stingers that were employed to inject poison into animals.

Ecology

Although eurypterids such as Jaekelopterus are often called "sea scorpions", the strata in which Jaekelopterus fossils have been found suggest that it lived in fresh water environments. Jaekelopterus itself it thought to have been a freshwater species that possibly hunted other arthropods and possibly fish.

The morphology and body construction of Jaekelopterus and other eurypterids in the Pterygotidae suggests they were adapted to a completely aquatic lifestyle. Braddy, Poschmann and Tetlie considered in a 2007 study that it was highly unlikely that an arthropod with the size and build of Jaekelopterus would be able to walk on land. Eurypterids such as Jaekelopterus are often popularly referred to as "sea scorpions", but the deposits from which Jaekelopterus fossils have been discovered suggest that it lived in non-marine aquatic environments. The Beartooth Butte Formation in Wyoming, where J. howelli fossils have been discovered, has been interpreted as a quiet, shallow estuarine environment. This species has been found together with two other eurypterid species: Dorfopterus angusticollis and Strobilopterus princetonii. The fossil sites yielding J. rhenaniae in the Rhineland have also been interpreted as having been part of a shallow aquatic environment with brackish to fresh water.

The chelicerae of Jaekelopterus are enlarged, robust and have a curved free ramus and denticles of different lengths and sizes, all adaptations that correspond to strong puncturing and grasping abilities in extant scorpions and crustaceans. Some puncture wounds on fossils of the poraspid agnathan fish Lechriaspis patula from the Devonian of Utah were likely caused by Jaekelopterus howelli. The latest research indicates that Jaekelopterus was an active and visual predator. Fully grown Jaekelopterus would have been apex predators in their environments and likely preyed upon smaller arthropods (including resorting to cannibalism) and early vertebrates.

A powerful and active predator, Jaekelopterus was likely highly agile and possessed high maneuverability. The hydromechanics of the swimming paddles and telsons of Jaekelopterus and other pterygotids suggest that all members of the group were capable of hovering, forward locomotion and quick turns. Though they were not necessarily rapidly swimming animals, they were likely able to give chase to prey in habitats such as lagoons and estuaries.

Behavior

The sea scorpion glides softly across the ocean floor, carefully swaying its body to navigate the channels. Since they spawn in groups of two to four, there will frequently be a large number of them in one location, frequently near coral and seaweed in the deep ocean. The sea scorpion will swim towards the intruder and attack if a player enters the region in search of pearls, clams, or the sea scorpion itself.

Distribution and Habitat

This species ranges from brackish to freshwater strata in the Rhineland and the rest of Europe and Western Asia from the Pragian and Emsian stages of Early Devonian age.

Movement Pattern: Random
Individual Type: Nomadic
Population Trend: Stable
Population: ???
Locomotion: Amphibious
Habitat: Polar; tundra; taiga; montane grasslands and shrublands; temperate coniferous forests; temperate broadleaf and mixed forests; temperate deciduous forests, temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands; subtropical coniferous forests; subtropical moist broadleaf forests; subtropical dry broadleaf forests; subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands; salt plains; limestone forest; tropical coniferous forests; tropical moist broadleaf forests; tropical dry broadleaf forests; tropical grasslands; tropical savannas and shrublands; Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub; mushroom forests; deserts and xeric shrublands; badlands; flooded grasslands and savannas; swamp; riparian; wetland; mangrove forest; bamboo forest; air-breathing coral reefs; graveyard vale; warm river; cold river; lukewarm river; subterranean river; pond; littoral; intertidal; kelp forests; coral reefs; neritic zone; pelagic zone; benthic zone; hydrothermal vents; brine pools; cold seeps; demersal zone
Earth: Algeria; Egypt; Israel; Italy; Lebanon; Libya; Mali; Morocco; Tunisia
Berbania: none
Reinachos: none
Delphia: none
Sawintir: none
Agarathos: none

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Lore

The Mediterranean Sea has protected Jaekelopterus from cannibalism for millions of years, making it the only known living sea scorpion in the world. The name of this species, Aqrabutamtu in Akkadian, which is exceedingly elusive and hostile to Cain and his offspring, who killed Abel, was unknown to experts.