A SCIENTIST has helped identify a mystery object washed up in the sea off Tywyn.

In last week’s Cambrian News, holidaymaker Mike Arnold asked readers to help him work out what mysterious specimen he had discovered whilst beachcombing in the area last October.

The unusual item caused much discussion after photographs of it appeared in the paper and online, but the answer turned out to be rather more mundane than expected.

Dr David Wilcockson, senior lecturer in Aquatic Biology at Aberystwyth University, got in touch with the paper to explain.

“The image shows the abdomen of a large female crab, probably the spider crab (Maja squinado), which is common locally,” he said.

“These animals, like all crabs, moult in order to grow and their old shells can get washed ashore, often in bits.

“I’m sorry the find is not more exciting or novel!”

Do you have any unusual discoveries you think the Cambrian News readership may be able to help shed some light on? Get in touch via [email protected]