Overview

• The newly designated Costacopluma nicksabani, nicknamed the Saban crab, is the most abundant species identified in the assemblage.
• Researchers dated the site to about 600,000–700,000 years after the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction, highlighting early post‑extinction recovery of marine crustaceans.
• The team reported eight decapod species at the site and established one new crab genus and one new burrowing shrimp genus.
• More than 1,000 mostly small, carapace‑only specimens were recovered according to the UA Museums release, with many measuring about 0.6 inches across.
• Most fossils are curated in UA Museums’ paleontology collection and can be viewed by request, as the public announcement aligns with Nick Saban’s scheduled campus visit and Hall of Fame recognition.