Glyphithyreus wetherelli (Bell 1857)

Glyphithyreus wetherelli is the most common crab across the London Clay formation. It is very small and can often be found in the shingle patches of the beach in small nodules. Very occasionally it can be found in large septarian nodules. It is not often preserved with claws and legs attached. It is synonyms with Plagiolophus wetherelli which is an older name for it.

It has been found at Sheppey, Butt Cliff and Maylandsea.

Image accreditation:

https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/417138481

Minor changes made.

Description: Carapace almost circular to transversely subovate, flattened; orbitofrontal margin more than half carapace width, straight, front slightly produced with median notch; short anterolateral margins with three small spines; lobes well defined; epi- and mesobranchial lobes bar-like with posteriorly directed median spur; according to condition, bar-like metabranchial ridge continuous with cardiac region. Claws elongate, smooth.

(Description from: A guide to the fossil Decapoda (Crustacea: Axiidea, Anomura, Brachyura) of the British Isles)

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Subphylum: Crustacea

Superclass: Multicrustacea

Class: Malacostraca

Subclass: Eumalacostraca

Superorder: Eucarida

Order: Decapoda

Suborder: Pleocyemata

Infraorder: Brachyura

Section: Eubrachyura