The Biggest Bug Known

The gigantic fossil claw of an 390 million-year-old sea scorpion, recently found in Germany, shows that ancient arthropods — spiders, insects, crabs and the like — were surprisingly larger than their modern-day counterparts.

“Imagine an eight-foot-long scorpion,” says O. Erik Tetlie, postdoctoral associate in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Yale, and an author of the report online in Royal Society Biology Letters. “The claw itself is a foot-and-a-half long — indicating that these ancient arthropods were much larger than previous estimates — and certainly the largest seen to date.”

Colleague and co-author Markus Poschmann discovered the fossil claw from this ancient sea scorpion, Jaekelopterus rhenaniae, in a quarry near Prüm in Germany. This creature, which lived between 460 and 255 million years ago is of a group that have been known for some time to be among the largest extinct arthropods, based on both body fossils and trace fossils.

According to the authors, it is believed that these extinct aquatic creatures are the ancestors of modern scorpions and spiders.

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Germany: Something For Everyone

It may not have the immediate cache of Britain or France, but for many, many people Germany represents a perfect family destination in Europe.

That's simply because Germany has so many different things to offer, from heritage for German-Americans and genology buffs, to the castles of Bavaria, snow-capped mountains, romantic cruises on the Rhine and much more.

Now you can get deals on hotels, even last-minute accommodations, for Hotels in Berlin. Whatever your budget or taste, this site has something to offer in Berlin.

If you're visiting Germany, consider a side trip to Austria, and that excursion will be easier with some help finding Hotels in Vienna. Check the offers on this site because they often come with free extras.

Of course, Austria is a perfect destination for history buffs looking to dig a little more into the life of Mozart. But did you know that six diverse ethnic groups are officially recognized in Austria (Burgenlandic Croatians, Roma, Slovaks, Slovenians, Czechs and Hungarians) who are concentrated in the east and south of the nation.

So see what you can find in Vienna.

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Great Deals To Visit Germany

Whether you're passion is beer, history, art or culture, Germany ought to be a destination high on your travel to-do list.

Regions like Bavaria have so much to offer, from castles to the best in rich German food.

Have you been planning just a trip but been putting it off because it just didn't seem affordable?

A new website may now be able to bring that vacation within reach with deals on hotels in germany. Save money no matter what your budget is.

No matter where in Germany you are looking to travel, this website should help, with savings on hotels in berlin or hotels in munich.

Remember, the money you save on these hotel deals will buy a lot of bratwurst.

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