A reconsideration of the palinuroid family Synaxidae (Crustacea, Decapoda), with a new member from the Upper Jurassic of southern Poland

Representatives of the family Synaxidae, commonly referred to as furry lobsters, are rare constituents of modern-day marine communities, while their fossil record suggests that they were more common in the past, in reefal settings during the Late Jurassic across Europe, from where at least three species have been recorded to date. An overview of all known extant and extinct synaxids is presented here and a sixth fossil form is added to the list. The latter constitutes one of the earliest records to date of furry lobsters worldwide and extends the palaeogeographical range of this relatively small group of early palinuroids. It was collected from massive sponge-microbial buildups (reefal limestones) of middle Oxfordian age (Gregoryceras transversarium ammonite Zone) near Krakow, southern Poland, and is here named Palaeosynaxes montserratae nov. gen., nov. sp.

Automated summary

Representatives of the family Synaxidae, commonly known as furry lobsters, were more common in the past, especially during the Late Jurassic in Europe. This study presents an overview of known extant and extinct synaxids, including the discovery of a new fossil form, Palaeosynaxes montserratae nov. gen., nov. sp., which extends the geographical range of this group. The fossil was found in reefal limestones near Krakow, southern Poland, and represents one of the earliest records of furry lobsters worldwide.