Museum Harpactocarcinus Crab Fossils from Italy

Description: In March and July of 2008 I had the unique privilege of purchasing two large lots from a most important collection. The collector had painstakingly accumulated a superb group of decapods, echinoderms and other fossils during a twenty-year period. The vast majority of the specimens came from self-collecting, academic resources, trading, and selected purchases. Very few of fossils came from the normal channels of trade shows and commercial internet resources. Any specimen presented under this introductory paragraph will generally be a superior collector grade fossil; be it of rarity, preservation, or, both.

Presented is a visually striking double association plate of this geographically widely distributed genus of fossil crab. They have been found in East Africa, Europe and Texas. Note the pleasing aesthetic lifelike pose of the specimens. Please take note of the fact that these specimens are a composite piece. Though quarried together at the discovery site, they were attached to the matrix in this dramatic pose by the talented preparator. Both Harpactocarcinus have both arms and claws as well as a complete carapaces. The smaller of the two specimens also has seven residual to complete walking legs.