What is Merostomata?
{{Taxobox | image = Eurypterus Smithsonian.jpg | image_caption = Reconstruction of ''[[Eurypterus]]'' (Eurypterida) | image2 = Limules.jpg | image2_caption = Views of ''[[Tachypleus tridentatus]]'' (Xiphosura) | name = Merostomata | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Arthropod]]a | subphylum = [[Chelicerata]] | classis = '''Merostomata''' | classis_authority = [[Henry Woodward (geologist)|Woodward]], 1866 | subdivision_ranks = [[Order (biology)|Orders]] | subdivision = *Order [[Eurypterida]] *Order [[Xiphosura]] }} '''Merostomata''' is a name given to the now [[extinction|extinct]] sea scorpions ([[Eurypterida]]) and the horseshoe crabs ([[Xiphosura]]). There are four known species of horsehoe crabs still alive. [[James Dwight Dana]] introduced the name to refer to the horseshoe crabs only. [[Henry Woodward (geologist)|Henry Woodward]] later extended it to refer to both [[taxon|taxa]]. {{-}} {{biology-stub}} [[Category:Chelicerata]]