Dynomenid crabs (Decapoda, Brachyura) from Upper Cenomanian-Lower Turonian nearshore, shallow-water strata in the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin, Czech Republic

Abstract

Conditions of preservation of small crabs at nearshore deposits in the Bohemian Cretaceous Basin (BCB) were poor and fossil record is mostly restricted to fragmentary pereiopods, i.e. isolated propodi or dactyli, whereas crab carapaces in the area are rather rare. Excluding three specimens of dynomenid Graptocarcinus texanus Roemer, 1887 and one necrocarcinid carapace fragment, no other carapaces are known from the nearshore deposits of the BCB. These partially crushed carapaces lacking chelipeds or other appendages come from the lower Turonian calcareous siltstones at Kamajka.