Pinnixa galliheri Rathbun

Late Miocene

Aguajito Shale Member, Monterey Fm.

Carmel, CA USA.

Five 27mm fossil pea crabs on 100mm slab.  One of the best we have ever had.

Crustacean.

Pinnixa is a genus of pea crab that appeared during the Miocene and still lives today.  Fossil specimens are found in California, Mexico, the Carolinas, and Malaysia.

Fossil pea crabs can be found from Ventura County, California north to the Point Reyes area, Marin County but it’s tough to find a productive site for them.  They are collected the old-fashioned way, splitting shale for hours.