Archopterus
Fossil genus of arthropod
Archopterus is a genus of eurypterid in the family Pittsfordipteridae, represented by one species. It was discovered in the Wenchang Formation of Tianfucun, Anji County, Zhejiang Province, South China. This genus is represented by a single species (Archopterus anjiensis) from the Ordovician, the oldest species from China and also of its family.
Description
Archopterus was a predator that may have fed on small mollusks, crustaceans and worms.
Fossil importance
The only known fossil, found alongside various Hexactinellid sponges, graptolites, and nautiloids in deep-water shale, known as the Anji Biota, now extends the range of the family of Adelophthalmidae from the early Silurian to late Ordovician. This also now supports the theory of the evolution of eurypterids in Gondwana.
The public source identifies “Archopterus” as fossil genus of arthropod. This brief keeps that definition visible, then builds a research path around Archopterus, Fossil and genus.
Why this record matters
A short description can identify a subject without explaining its stakes. For “Archopterus”, the useful work is to connect “fossil genus of arthropod” to the records capable of establishing context and consequence.
The date and method of observation matter as much as the stated conclusion, especially where classification or consensus has changed. The source revision retrieved here is dated Sep 19, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q122960461. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference.
Scientific names, classifications and consensus can change while older terminology persists in catalogues and historical literature. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Check terminology, classification and the date of the cited evidence. Scientific names and technical consensus can change while older records retain historical value.
- Current terminology
- Classification context
- Finding cited technical literature
Primary datasets, specimen catalogues, standards bodies and the most recent peer-reviewed literature.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Archopterus”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Archopterus primary sources, Archopterus archive and Archopterus research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Archopterus”?
- Is the terminology current, historical or disputed?
- Has classification or technical consensus changed since the cited source?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Archopterus” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.