Featured in this lot is this Mud Lobster (Thalassina) found in Australia from between the Miocene and Pilocene area around 15-25 million years ago. Thalassina is a genus of mud lobsters found in the mangrove swamps of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. Its nocturnal burrowing is important for the recycling of nutrients in the mangrove ecosystem, although it is sometimes considered a pest of fish and prawn farms. These fossils are commonly found within phosphatic nodules that then must be manually prepared to remove the rock surrounding the fossil lobster. Phosphate nodules are spherical concentrations that are randomly distributed along the floor of continental shelves. Most phosphorite grains are sand size although particles greater than 2 mm may be present. These larger grains, referred to as nodules, can range up to several tens of centimeters in size. This fossil has been very well preserved and shows one of its claws fully extruded with the other half missing. The tail is curled towards its underbody. Most of the back is still covered in sediments. The fossil shows good condition and measures 5 3/4" L x 2 3/4" W x 1 1/4" H.

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