Zanthopsis dufouri
Zanthopsis dufouri
Summary
Zanthopsis dufouri was a heavily armoured true crab with a broad, powerful body. It probably lived as a generalist predator and scavenger on the seabed, using strong claws to handle food while its thick carapace protected it from attack.
The London Clay contains several species of Zanthopsis, suggesting that robust crabs of this general type were successful members of the ecosystem. They would have competed with other crabs and lobsters for food while also serving as prey for larger marine predators.
Quick Identification
Look for: a broad robust Zanthopsis carapace with strong dorsal sculpture and regional relief; compare the complete margins and ornament directly with Z. leachii, Z. nodosa and Z. unispinosa.
Diagnostic Features
- Carapace broad and robust.
- Dorsal regions are strongly sculptured and well defined.
- Surface relief is pronounced across the gastric and branchial areas.
- Marginal form differs from the nodose and strongly spined patterns of other Zanthopsis species.
- Species-level identification requires the combined regional pattern, ornament and margins.
Fossil Details
Similar Species
Recorded Fossil Sites
No fossil-site occurrences have yet been recorded for this species.
Synonyms & Previous Names
References
- J. S. H. Collins; C. J. T. Mellish; A. J. Ross; P. R. Crabb; S. K. Donovan. (2020). A guide to the fossil Decapoda (Crustacea: Axiidea, Anomura, Brachyura) of the British Isles. Proceedings of the Geologists' Association, 131(1), 19–50 View reference
- Thomas Bell. (1857). A monograph of the fossil malacostracous Crustacea of Great Britain. Part I. Crustacea of the London Clay. Monograph of the Palaeontographical Society, 10, i–viii, 1–44. Palaeontographical Society, London View reference