The largest fossilized crab claw ever found has been discovered on Waitoetoe beach in New Zealand. The claw measures around 15 cm, making it the biggest cheliped ever discovered. The fossilized remains were found in silt layers left by a volcanic outburst from the Mohakatino Volcanic Centre, which was active millions of years ago.
This extraordinary crustacean boasts the largest fossilized crab claw ever found. The ancient creature’s fossilized remains were reportedly unearthed on Waitoetoe beach on New Zealand ’s North Island, roughly 240 kilometers south of Auckland. Bones of these crabs were discovered buried in silt layers left by a past volcanic outburst from the offshore Mohakatino Volcanic Centre. This area was active around 14 to 8 million years ago.
“The well-preserved, articulated specimens were found buried in sediments which include reworked volcanogenic material. The crabs inhabited a deep marine setting. This is the first evidence that... What makes this discovery so remarkable is the size of its cheliped, or claw, which measures around 15 cm. This is believed to be the biggest cheliped ever discovered. Crabs are classified as decapod crustaceans, derived from the Greek words “deca” meaning ten, and “pod” meaning feet. This categorization is based on crabs’ distinctive ten-limbed structure. Among these 10 limbs, the first pair is specialized into chelipeds
Fossilized Crab Claw New Zealand Waitoetoe Beach Crustacean Decapod Crustaceans
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