Ranilia muricata

This fossilized crab Ranilia muricata dates back to the Pliocene (Intercoastal Formation) of Liberty County, United States.

The fossil is a real eyecatcher. The animal is excellently prepared and is attractive sitting on the original matrix. This is NOT a composite!

The location was very small and is gone now forever. There are no new discoveries possible.

The Raninidae are a family of unusual crabs, described by most scientists to be quite primitive. These animals are similar to the (unrelated) mole crabs. In both groups, the claws were transformed into tools for digging, and the body has a rounded shape that makes the burying in the sand easier.

This is a rare and hardly offered fossil for the advanced collector!

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