Astacidea indet.

Astacidea indet.

Higher-taxon identificationIdentified to: Infraorder
Common name Indeterminate Clawed Lobster
Fossil group Crustaceans
Order Decapoda

Summary

This record is used for clawed lobster remains that can be recognised as astacidean but cannot be identified securely to family, genus or species. Carapace pieces, large chelae and articulated abdominal segments are the most useful remains.

Quick Identification

Look for: an elongate lobster-like carapace, a large robust claw, repeated abdominal segments and a strong tail region. The overall build is longer and more cylindrical than a crab, with enlarged chelae unlike spiny and slipper lobsters.

Identification Features

  • The carapace is elongate rather than broad and transversely compact.
  • The first walking legs commonly form large, robust chelae with well-developed fingers.
  • The abdomen is long and composed of repeated articulated segments.
  • Carapace surfaces may carry grooves, ridges or fine ornament that follow the underlying body regions.
  • Tail-fan elements, where preserved, are broad flattened plates associated with the segmented abdomen.

Recorded Fossil Sites

Last Reviewed
18 August 2026 Reviewed by Sam Harris