4. Extinction

Eurypterids became extinct because of two main reasons:

1.) Evolution of fish:

• Before, primitive fish were generally slow, and they lacked lateral fins.
• This enabled Eurypterids to catch them with their pincers or telson.
• During the Devonian period, fish began to develop strong tails, fins, and slimmer bodies.
• This evolutionary change made them faster than average eurypterids.
• Eventually, eurypterids became the prey of the fish, instead of the predators.

2.) Permian Mass Extinction:

• Occurred roughly 248 million years ago
• Killed about 95% of all existing marine life (including trilobites)

Overall, these eurypterids below became extinct due to both evolutionary and natural causes