An unexpected Cenozoic record of palinurid lobsters (Achelata) from the lower Eocene of “Pesciara” (Bolca, Verona) and Monte Postale (Altissimo, Vicenza), northeastern Italy

An in-depth study of the spiny lobsters (Palinuridae Latreille, 1802) from the lower Eocene (upper Ypresian) of “Pesciara” of Bolca (Verona) and Monte Postale (Altissimo, Vicenza) in Veneto (NE Italy) allowed a reappraisal of their systematic assignment. Indeed, the careful review of the type series of Justitia desmaresti (Secrétan, 1975) plus some additional unreported specimens allowed to identify two genera within the Palinuridae, Eolinurus n. gen. with E. desmaresti (Secrétan, 1975) n. comb. and Justitia Holthuis, 1946 with J. confusa n. sp. A third genus, Lessinoachela n. gen. with L. scaligera n. gen., n. sp., for its peculiar morphological characters, is not assigned to any family within the Achelata. Moreover, one incomplete specimen compared with Justitia and one “puerulus” larval stage are reported, allowing a new look at the spiny lobster assemblage from the Monte Postale environment. Finally, the “Pesciara” record represents the unique evidence from the Eocene of Europe due to the presence of three spiny lobster genera within the same palaeoenvironment, partially sharing morphological characters with the representatives of the Palinuridae.