Plataeas

Plataeas is a genus of extinct marine arthropods known from fossil deposits dating to the Late Silurian to Early Devonian periods. First described in the late 20th century, the genus includes several species found in what are now North America and Europe. Plataeas fossils typically occur in sandstone and shale formed in shallow shelf environments, indicating a benthic lifestyle with detritivorous feeding or scavenging behavior. The genus is of interest for studies of early arthropod evolution and the diversification of Paleozoic marine faunas.

Plataeas animals are characterized by a dorsoventrally flattened body with a broad, shieldlike cephalon, a segmented thorax, and a tapering posterior region. The head commonly shows small sensory structures, and the thorax bears lateral plates that may have provided protection while navigating complex seabed substrates. Limb morphology varies among species but generally includes short, robust appendages suitable for crawling rather than active swimming. The overall body plan suggests an emphasis on stability and camouflage in relatively coarse sediments.

Taxonomic history places Plataeas among early Paleozoic arthropods of modest size. The genus contributes to discussions on the evolution of body plans in marine arthropods and serves as a biostratigraphic marker in several Euramerican formations. The name Plataeas derives from Greek platys, meaning flat, combined with a conventional taxonomic suffix, reflecting the flattened morphology that characterizes the group.