Trigonotarbi

Trigonotarbi is a genus of extinct arachnids belonging to the order Trigonotarbida. These ancient creatures lived during the Carboniferous period, approximately 359 to 299 million years ago. Trigonotarbi were terrestrial and are among the earliest known land-dwelling arthropods. Fossil discoveries, primarily in Europe and North America, have provided valuable insights into their morphology and lifestyle.

These arachnids are characterized by a distinct body plan. They possessed a prosoma, or cephalothorax, which was typically covered by a carapace, and an opisthosoma, or abdomen, which was segmented. A notable feature of Trigonotarbi is the presence of specialized appendages near their mouthparts, which may have been used for manipulating food or for sensory purposes. Their leg structure suggests they were capable of walking on land, and some evidence points to them being predators, likely feeding on smaller invertebrates. The Trigonotarbida order, to which Trigonotarbi belongs, is notable for its early divergence from other arachnid lineages, offering clues to the evolutionary history of this diverse group. The exact relationships of Trigonotarbi to modern arachnid orders are still a subject of scientific investigation.