0.7" Fossil Crab Pinnixa Galliheri Pea Crab Monterey Cty San Luis Obispo Miocene Epoch

Location: San Luis Obispo County, California, Monterey Formation

Weight: 6.8 Ounces 

Dimensions: 3.2 Inches Long, 3 Inches Wide, 1.2 Inches Thick (Plate)

Crab Dimensions: 0.7 Inches Long, 0.4 Inches Wide

Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

The item pictured is the one you will receive. 

Miocene Epoch, 8 Million Years old

Pinnixa galliheri – Fossil Pea Crab from the Monterey Shale

Pinnixa galliheri is a fascinating fossil pea crab from the Monterey Shale along California’s central coast, just south of Monterey Bay. Dating back approximately 8 million years, these fossils offer an extraordinary glimpse into ancient marine and coastal ecosystems. The shale preserves delicate details of pea crabs, often alongside fossils of fish, pine needles, cones, and palm fronds, reflecting a warm, tropical shoreline that once flourished in the region.

The genus Pinnixa continues to thrive today along the California coast, from Baja California to the Pacific Northwest, and across the western Pacific, linking these ancient specimens to their modern relatives. Fossils like Pinnixa galliheri provide valuable insights into the evolution, ecology, and continuity of pea crabs over millions of years.

Ideal for collectors, museums, and educational displays, this fossil crab is prized for its exceptional preservation and connection to living species, making it a striking and scientifically significant addition to any collection.