Brontoscorpio is an extinct genus of scorpion that lived in the Early Devonian. Remains of the only known species, Brontoscorpio anglicus, were discovered in the St. Maughan's Formation, Lochkovian-aged (previously also considered as late Silurian) sandstone from Trimpley, Worcestershire. The species was described on the basis of an incomplete single free finger of a right pedipalp (In31405), almost 10 cm long. The complete animal is estimated to have been 77.2 - 91.5 cm long for females and 86.2 - 94 cm long for males, making Brontoscorpio one of the largest known scorpions. The species is characterized by the presence of single condyle and row of thick tubercles on the pedipalp free finger.

Ecology

The remains were found in terrestrial sediments, showing evidence of Brontoscorpio being terrestrial. Brontoscorpio may have gone ashore to escape predation, but due to its size, it would have had difficulty supporting its weight on land and likely lived a primarily aquatic life.

Popular culture

Brontoscorpio was featured in the first episode of the 2005 BBC television series Walking with Monsters. It is shown as aquatic, hunting Cephalaspis and being eaten by Pterygotus.