XIPHOSURANS FROM THE WESTPHALIAN-D OF THE RADSTOCK BASIN, SOMERSET COALFIELD, THE SOUTH-WALES COALFIELD AND MAZON CREEK, ILLINOIS

Euproops kilmersdonensis Ambrose & Romano, 1972 is proposed as a synon ym of Euproops danae (Meek & Worthen, 1865) from Mazon Creek, Illinois . Five other species attributed to Euproops Meek, 1867 and one species attributed to Prestwichianella nitida Dix & Pringle, 1929, from the W estphalian D of the South Wales Coalfield, described by Dix & Pringle (1929, 1930) are also synonymized with E. danae. In addition, six spec ies described by Raymond (1944) from Mazon Creek are synonymized with E. danae. The taphonomic processes acting upon xiphosuran body fossils produce spurious morphological differences between specimens, which h ave been used in the past to define species. It is concluded that spec ies diversity within the Carboniferous Xiphosura was low, contrary to previous reports (Fisher, 1984). The mode of life of E. danae is re-ev aluated in the light of trace fossils recently described by Pollard & Hardy (1991) from Writhlington Geological Nature Reserve, and from pal aeophysiological considerations.