Crab?

[Coryander]

Dear friends,

 

I found something that really looks like a crab. Size: 95x70 milimeters.

Found it in Algarve, Portugal.

 

Is it possible to be a crab?

 

Thank you.

[sixgill pete]

I will say it has the shape of a carapace. No doubt in my mind I would have picked it up. It is very worn and has been bored. I am going to say, tentatively, yes it is. But, more informed persons than I may disagree. 

 

@Plax, @MB 

[FossilDAWG]

Judging by the bottom left photo it is a concretion containing a crab.  As sixgill says it is worn and bored, but it is possible that a pretty good crab could be prepped out of it.

 

Don

[RJB]

Looks very much like a crab, but cant really tell from the photos weather or not the carapace is gone or is underneath some rock?

 

RB

[Coryander]

Thank you sixgill pete, FossilDAWG and RJB.

I really think it is something like a Necora puber

How old can it be?

I will upload more photos.

[Doctor Mud]

Looks like Algarve is Miocene?

https://english.fossiel.net/sites/fossil_site.php?plaats=129

 

Nice find there @Coryander

Definitely a worn crab concretion. A bit of prep with a scribe or engraver would reveal a nice underside.

 

The third picture of your new photos is of the underside, with the front at the top. Note the exposed part of the claw on the top right.

 

Note the rock type and look for leg "circles" on the ends of oval rocks to find a complete one.

 

There might not be enough exposed or remaining, but @MB is the one who could ID it if it can be.

 

the preservation looks different to other crabs I've seen from there:

 

 

[izak_]

Nice find! 

[Plax]

and a big one at that!

[MB]

Hi, yes as pointed before, it is a crab but further work would be necessary in order to have a correct identification.

Miocene? looks like a cancroid.... but... I'm not sure.