Inspired by Pentecopterus Decorahensis

DRC Sponsor: Kim Bonnet

In the summer of 2015 the fossil of a previously unknown species of sea scorpion that lived 460 million years ago was discovered on the outskirts of Decorah. The creature, Pentecopterus decorahensis, is the oldest known species of eurypterid – a group of aquatic arthropods that are ancestors of modern spiders, lobsters, and ticks. The discovery, published in the journal BMC Evolutionary Biology, was made by paleontologists from Yale University and the University of Iowa and brought considerable attention to the local community.

Mark Whelan is an artist, movie connoisseur, and staff member at the Decorah Public Library. He will be speaking to the Club about Decorah's famous, ancient sea scorpion and how it inspired him in his unique creative endeavor during this year's Nordic Fest.

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Our face-to-face meeting will be hosted at the VFW, supplemented by Zoom broadcast. The meeting announcment, agenda, and logistical information including Zoom meeting link will be distributed to all members by email in advance. Please complete your meal sign-up prior to the meeting.