Wonderfully preserved Italian Crab

Fantastic carapace detail

Just look at the pincers and legs

Harpactocarcinus Crab 3

Product description

This is a beautifully preserved Harpactocarcinus punctulatus crab, discovered in Vicenza Province, Italy.

It dates from the Eocene Period, 55m to 33m years old.

The decapods, or ten footed crutaceans, are an order that includes crabs, crayfish, lobsters, prawns, and shrimps.
They have existed since the Permian Period, nearly 300 million years ago.

However, true, recognisable crabs, evolved around the Jurassic Period, some 150 million years ago.

Their general structure has changed little since then, and modern day crabs display the same proportions, and general ornamentation.

A specimen such as this Harpactocarcinus with original carapace, pincers, and legs is quite rare, as when crabs die, their shells normally fall apart and are dispersed or scavenged.

A wonderful display, museum quality fossil, in extraordinary condition.

Crab Size: