Actinotocarcinus maclauchlani crab

A very distinctive, rare crab. There are two Actinitocarcinus species found here on the South Island of New Zealand, this is the more northern species. This species was described in 1993, so a relatively newly discovered crab.

I found this one washed up amongst the beach cobbles about two minutes into an overnight hike with Craig and carried it in my backpack for two days. This is the only specimen of this species I have found to date.

 

Watch the video of it being found

Age: Miocene