First Record of the Xiphosurid Euproops cf. danae from Ireland – A Newly Discovered Specimen from the Pennsylvanian of County Clare

Abstract: We present the first illustration and description of a fossil xiphosurid from the Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian, Bashkirian) Clare Shale Formation of County Clare, western Ireland. The body fossil consists of an articulated but incomplete prosoma and thoracetron, and is assigned to Euproops cf. danae Meek and Worthen, 1865. This is also the first record of this species from anywhere in Ireland. The presence of Euproops cf. danae is also significant because they are commonly recorded from continental or brackish environments in Carboniferous deposits elsewhere, and the Clare Shale Formation has been interpreted by most previous authors as representing deep marine conditions. This particular specimen, however, more likely represents a transported and displaced (allochthonous) individual carried from nearshore to offshore environments by flood-generated currents from a terrestrial source.