The Mixopteridae are a family of eurypterids, an extinct group of chelicerate arthropods commonly known as "sea scorpions". The family is one of two families contained in the superfamily Carcinosomatoidea (along with Carcinosomatidae), which in turn is one of the superfamilies classified as part of the suborder Eurypterina. However, according to a 2024 paper this family may be paraphyletic, containing modern scorpions.[1]
Mixopterids were characterized by large exoskeletons with scattered tubercles or semicircular scales. The prosoma (head) was subquadrate, protruding antemedially. The chelicerae (claws in front of the mouth) were small. The first two pairs of walking legs were strongly developed, with long paired spines. The third and fourth walking legs were moderately sized, with short spines. The preabdomen, the front portion of the body, was narrow with axial furrows, while the postabdomen was narrow. The telson was a curved spine.[2]
Family Mixopteridae Caster & Kjellesvig-Waering, 1955
Genus Mixopterus Ruedemann, 1921
Genus Lanarkopterus Størmer, 1936
Genus Terropterus Wang et al., 2021