List of xiphosuran genera explained

This list of xiphosurans is a comprehensive listing of all genera that have ever been included in the order Xiphosura, excluding purely vernacular terms. The list includes all commonly accepted genera, but also genera that are now considered invalid, doubtful (nomen dubium), or were not formally published (nomen nudum), as well as junior synonyms of more established names, genera that are no longer considered xiphosurans and misspellings. The list currently includes 54 names out of which 31 are considered valid xiphosuran genera.

As of 2019, there were around 80 extinct species of xiphosurans^[1] and 4 extant species of xiphosurans recognized as valid.

Naming conventions and terminology

There is no "official" or "canonical" list of xiphosuran genera. The closest thing is found contained in the regularly updated Summary list of fossil spiders and their relatives in the World Spider Catalog, which include just the extinct species. The vast majority or all of the content of the list below, including the valid genera, preoccupied names, junior synonyms, misspellings, taxonomical classifications and sites of discovery, is based upon the 2019 edition of the summary list.

Naming conventions and terminology follow the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Technical terms used include:

• Junior synonym: A name which describes the same taxon as a previously published name. If two or more genera are formally designated and the type specimens are later assigned to the same genus, the first to be published (in chronological order) is the senior synonym, and all other instances are junior synonyms. Senior synonyms are generally used, except by special decision of the ICZN, but junior synonyms cannot be used again, even if deprecated. Junior synonymy is often subjective, unless the genera described were both based on the same type specimen.
• Nomen nudum (Latin for "naked name"): A name that has appeared in print but has not yet been formally published by the standards of the ICZN. Nomina nuda (the plural form) are invalid, and are therefore not italicized as a proper generic name would be. If the name is later formally published, that name is no longer a nomen nudum and will be italicized on this list. Often, the formally published name will differ from any nomina nuda that describe the same specimen.
• Nomen oblitum (Latin for "forgotten name"): A name that has not been used in the scientific community for more than fifty years after its original proposal.
• Preoccupied name: A name that is formally published, but which has already been used for another taxon. This second use is invalid (as are all subsequent uses) and the name must be replaced. As preoccupied names are not valid generic names, they will also go unitalicized on this list.
• Nomen dubium (Latin for "dubious name"): A name describing a fossil with no unique diagnostic features.

Xiphosuran genera

† = Extinct

See also

• List of eurypterid genera
• List of trilobite genera
• List of ammonite genera
• List of prehistoric malacostracans

Notes and References

1. Book: http://www.wsc.nmbe.ch/resources/fossils/Fossils19.5.pdf. World Spider Catalog. Dunlop. J. A.. Penney. D.. Jekel. D.. Natural History Museum Bern. 2019. A summary list of fossil spiders and their relatives. 1–296.
2. Belinurus Bronn, 1839 (Chelicerata, Xiphosura) has priority over Bellinurus Pictet, 1846. James C.. Lamsdell. Matthew E.. Clapham. Journal of Paleontology. 1352–1355. 2021. 95. 6. 10.1017/jpa.2021.53. free.
3. 1299851. Phylogeny and Taxonomy of Fossil Horseshoe Crabs. Leif Størmer. Journal of Paleontology. 26. July 1952. 4. 630–640.
4. First Fossil Xiphosuran (Chelicerata, Xiphosura) Egg Clutch from the Carboniferous of Khakassia. Paleontological Journal. 52. 4. 400–404. E. S.. Shpinev. D. V.. Vasilenko. 2018. 10.1134/S0031030118040111. 86861187.
5. Web site: Kouphichnium isp.. Anthony J.. Martin. 2018-02-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20150322042513/http://www.envs.emory.edu/faculty/MARTIN/ichnology/Kouphichnium.htm. 2015-03-22. dead.