CRINCH! The Crab of the Day!

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CRINCH! The BONUS #‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 12/29/2015: “Le Défenseur du Temps” (The Defender of Time) is a crazy-ass automaton clock in Paris featuring a dude fighting a rooster, (representing air) a dragon, (representing earth) and a FIERCE CRAB! (representing water)

As originally designed, every hour from 9 am to 10 pm, this mechanical dude fights one of the three animals chosen randomly by a program. At noon, 6 pm, and 10pm, all three animals attack at the same time. While the man fights, he is accompanied by sounds of breaking waves, rumbling earth or the sound of wind, depending on the animal chosen. Le Défenseur du temps is 4 meters high and weighs about 1 ton. The characters, animals and the clock face are hammered brass and gold leaf. The rock on which they sit is composed of oxidized brass.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_D%C3%A ... r_du_Temps

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 12/30/2015: Epilobocera sinuatifrons, known by its Spanish common name, ‘Buruquena,’ is a Pseudothelphusidae family freshwater crab common and widely distributed in streams of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. El Buruquena is one of the most abundant predatory freshwater crabs in the region, for the simple reason that it can live its life-cycle comfortably in one place without need of migration. This is possible because E. sinuatifrons’s larval stages are completed within the eggs which are held under the mother’s abdomen until they hatch. No free-zooplanktonic stages! Additionally, Buruquena is able to feed on a wide variety of plants and animals available in streams and riparian forests.

http://eol.org/pages/4271075/overview
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=443579

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 12/31/2015: Hypoconcha arcuata or The Granulate Shellback Crab is a totally bonkers family Dromiidae species found predominantly in the Gulf of Mexico and Mid-latitude West Atlantic. These little guys are known for hauling half of a bivalve (clams, scallops, etc…) shell on their backs, carrier-crab style, as a means of camouflage and defense. Usually the shell carried by an individual H. arcuata will be large enough to completely hide its entire body! This awesome adaptation comes via some very specialized ‘hooked’ 5th and 4th row walking legs.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=421891
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/S ... alue=98300

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CRABBY NEW YEAR! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/01/2016: Leiolambrus nitidus or the White Elbow Crab is a long-armed family Parthenopidae species was first catalogued by famed American zoologist, Mary J. Rathbun in 1901. Native to The Gulf of Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, Guianas, Brazil, and the Caribbean Sea- this beastie (like its fellow Leiolambrus and Platylambrus crab brethren) has massive, beefy chelipeds; typically reaching over double the length of the rest of their bodies!

These crazy claws are distinct in that the upper ‘finger’ is moveable and curved towards the immobile lower finger. This inverted morphology is perfect for distance reaching, fine dactyl manipulation, and BRUTAL CRINCHING of the crab’s prey! Additionally, the angle of the arms from L. nitidus’ body allows them to spread their arms wide in a pretty dang impressive threat-display, potentially dissuading hungry predators with a hankering for White Elbow Crab!

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=422024
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/S ... alue=98624

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/02/2016: Geograpsus stormi or The Variegate Shore Crab (Sometimes called the ‘Red Nipper.’) Is an orange and red semi-terrestrial shore crab found in the Indian Ocean, East Africa, Oceana, and parts of Polynesia. G. stormi typically hides under shoreline rocks and in crevices on seacliffs While other regional shore crabs are numerous and quite visible, Variegate Shore Crabs are possessed of a VERY shy demeanor, and are rarely seen out in the open.

G. stormi represents a distinct stage of increased terrestriality in crab development made possible by a branchial chamber modified for air breathing. Though still dependant on the sea, these little guys don’t necessarily need to be in it all the time, allowing for increased shelter and hunting opportunities.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=207534
http://eol.org/pages/1037135/overview

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/02/2016: The Alamihi Crab, or Metopograpsus messor is an East African-through-West Pacific family Grapsidae mangrove crab. This small, squarish crab has wide-set eyes and long walking legs equipped with hairy ‘hooks.’ These hooks allow Alamihis to climb clean out of the water and scramble quickly among slippery rocks. Primarily scavengers with finger tips scalloped along the inner surface- perfect for scraping up algae and other tidal tidbits, groups of highly opportunistic M. messor will nevertheless rush out of the surf to attack any prey they can overcome!

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=207536
http://species-identification.org/speci ... an&id=1661

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/04/2016: Exopalicus maculatus or the Button Crab is a SUPER TINY little Palicidae crab native to Hawaiian and French Polynesian reefs. Technically the smallest living member of the Stilt Crab family, (Palicidae) E. maculates possesses a bright, tubercle-covered (lumpy) carapace, perfect for blending in on various reef corals. In addition to camouflage, these guys are excellent at staying out of sight in small fissures and pits in coral reefs. Hiding for these little crabs is a MUST, as just about everything in the sea is capable of eating them. Being that Button Crabs predominantly eat mucus and junk stuck to the outside of surface of corals, individual Anthozoans can literally house hundreds of these little guys!

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=442179
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/S ... lue=660748

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/05/2016: Calappa lophos or the Red-Streaked Box Crab is a beautiful species of Afro-Asiatic ‘Shame-Faced’ crab. This sand-burrowing beastie has that classic box shape that family Calappidae crabs are known for. C. lophos differs from the norm in that instead of large spots, the outer surface of its chelipeds (claws) has red streaks and blotches. Additionally, Red-Streakers have a strange rounded tooth in one claw that is used to split sea snails or other mollusks while the other claw is much longer and slimmer to tear the meat out for a good meal.

Though widely eaten in Europe and South East Asia, in India, these guys are usually sold as junk meat for poultry feed. On a side-note, the name “shame-faced” comes from anthropomorphizing the way the crab's chelae (again, claws) fold up and cover its face, as if it were hiding its mug in shame.

http://species-identification.org/speci ... pan&id=701
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=209503

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/12/2016: Eplumula phalangium or the Long Ox-Horn Spider Crab (长犄蛛形蟹in Chinese) is a strange looking Latreilliidae family crab found in Japan, southern Korea, Taiwan and the Philippines. Ox-Horn crabs have a distinctly transparent pink carapace with irregular reddish and white lines. These crab’s claws and walking legs are often tipped with white, green, or even fluorescent yellow! E. phalangium uses its long legs to patrol soft bottomed beds in mostly tropical and subtemperate waters where it occasionally carries seaweeds and hydroids as camouflage.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=440217
http://species-identification.org/speci ... pan&id=658

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/13/2016:Charybdis miles or the Soldier Swimming Crab is an Indo-Pacific family Portunidae species. C. miles hangs out in soft-bottomed reef beds where it hides in holes and ambushes weaker prey, including other crabs. Charybdis swimmers differ from other swimming crabs in that they possess some very distinct spines, especially around their claws and hexagonal carapace. These wicked ‘daggers’ are where the Soldier Swimming Crab gets its name!

Speaking of names, "Charybdis" is the Greek word for whirlpool- more specifically, a mythological monster and famed shipping hazard in the Strait of Messina.

http://eol.org/pages/4267011/overview
http://www.sealifebase.org/summary/Charybdis-miles.html

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/14/2016: Dromidiopsis lethrinusae, the soon to be named “Yukinko Hats Crab,” is a family Dromiidae species from the New Caledonian Exclusive Economic Zone. (Japan southward to Australia.) This SUPER tiny sponge crab adorns itself with a SINGLE “Chatsuboboya” compound ascidian bud as a means of camouflage and a potential food factory. Affectionately nicknamed "Ogasawara Camry" by the Japanese Kaikamuri Marine Wildlife Department, D. lethrinusae has generated quite the following!

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=440069
http://species-identification.org/speci ... pan&id=597

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/15/2016: Oncinopus aranea or the Thin-Shelled Spider Crab is a unique Indo-Australian/Japanese majoid ‘Orangutan Crab.’ This species differs from the vast majority of related spider crab species in that it has LONGER front ambulatory legs, and hooked dactyls on the last two pairs. Additionally, O. aranea possesses a triangular, seven-segmented abdomen, and tiny little, antennae- reaching only just beyond the tip of the rostrum. (‘nose’ point)

http://eol.org/pages/4265446/overview
http://species-identification.org/speci ... pan&id=831

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/16/2016: Ihleus lanatus, the oddly named “Peeble Crab” (Not Pebble crab!) is a crab species from family leucosiidae, found primarily in India, Southeast Asia, and Japan. First catalogued by British carcinologist, Alfred William Alcock in 1896, this lumpy little muckdweller has granular, bumpy seams all over its body, combined with tubercles (knobby bits) and a translucent velvety “fuzz,” used to catch floating detritus.

http://species-identification.org/speci ... pan&id=783
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=441173

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/17/2016 Chionoecetes japonicus or The Red Snow Crab, known as the Queen Crab in Canada, and Beni-zuwai (ベニズワイガニ) in Japan, is a largely commercially fished crab species found in the North Pacific. Important economically to Canada, Korea, and Japan- C. japonicas is EASILY confused for other species of Chionoecetes (Snow) crab. (Opilio, Tanner, etc…) Additionally, in waters where both Chionoecetes japonicus and Chionoecetes opilio co-habitate, natural hybridization has been known to occur. And you thought it was hard to tell ‘em apart before!

http://eol.org/pages/4265814/overview
http://species-identification.org/speci ... pan&id=880

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/18/2016: Micippa philyra or The Philyra Spider Crab is named after a Greek mythological character, the ocean nymph, Philyra. This family Majidae species from Australia-Asiatic Pacific and Indian waters may LOOK like a decorator cab, but it is actually a ‘true’ spider crab in that is has the capability to move forward-backwards instead of just sideways.

Usually scavengers, M. philyra will occasionally hunt for small invertebrates despite being not more than 3cm wide. A fine covering of tiny ascidians and sponges attached to its body, provides enough camouflage that this little guy can launch the infrequent ambush. Living on coral rubble flats or reefs, Philyra Spider Crabs have tiny hooked feet, allowing them to climb corals with ease.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=210271
http://species-identification.org/speci ... pan&id=972

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/19/2016: Schizophrys aspera or The Common Decorator Crab is TRULY the crabby master of nomenclatures! This rather widespread crab lives in Africa through the Pacific, and is/has been called the Maldive Crab, Ornamental Spider Crab, Suez Canal Crab, False Decorator Crab, Red Sea Toad, Common Sea Toad, Rough Spider Crab, and the Shed Crab.

Found on rocks, especially near reefs, S. aspera- by taxonomic classification, is a spider crab, belonging to family Majidae/subfamily Majinae. This raggedy-looking beastie collects many small pieces of sponge, hydroids, and reef debris to attach to its carapace, legs, and chelipeds. A single crab may have over 20 still-living species riding along with it!

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=210145
http://eol.org/pages/312047/overview

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It’s SQUAT LOBSTER week here at ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay! From Thursday Jan 21 to Thursday Jan 28, we’ll be showcasing 8 species of ‘crab cousins!’

CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/21/2016: Munidopsis andamanica or the apropriately named "Wood-Eating" Squat Lobster is an incredible species hailing from the West Pacific, Australia, and Oceana. This long-armed beastie was found in 2009 to actively feed on logs and lumber which had fallen to the ocean floor. M. andamanica has specially adapted claws and mouthparts suited for tearing off and processing strips of wood tissue. More important to the process, are highly enzymatic bacterial and fungal colonies in these creatures’ guts that further break down the lignin and fibers of the wood they eat.

While undersea woodfalls and shipwrecks are usually teeming with bivalves, this marks the first time a complex crustacean has been observed actively seeking out wood as a foodsource. COOL!

http://eol.org/pages/4258315/overview
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=392478

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/22/2016: Allogalathea babai or Baba's (Crinoid) Squat Lobster is a beautiful species that lives exclusively on crinoid hosts in the Indo-Pacific. These marvelous beasties feed on the excess plankton that their crinoids home collect but don’t eat. Either black and yellow or black and white, A. babai is droplet-shaped, with a broad pale, central stripe on its carapace and a single spine behind each eye.

http://eol.org/pages/20666010/overview
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=574317
https://youtu.be/2uUk9K9TQhg?t=142

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/24/2016: Munida thoe aka Macpherson’s Crab is a colorful example of a Munididae (The largest genus of squat lobsters, with over 240 species!) Squat Lobster. This ‘five-spine’ beauty hangs out in the New Caledonian Exclusion Zone, Bayonnaise Bank, and most notably, Taiwan. The carapace of M. thoe ALWAYS has purple bands- if you see one without, you’ve actually encountered a sister-species, M. oritea.

Macpherson’s Crabs are opportunity robbers who will occasionally steal food from sea anemones such as small snails and other arthropods, though this has a potentially beneficial after-effect. Mundia crabs found in the vicinity of a bloom of the toxic dinoflagellate, Alexandrium catenella were found to contain contained paralytic shellfish toxin, making them poisonous to potential predators!

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=106835
http://eol.org/pages/4258024/overview

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CRINCH! THE BONUS #‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/24/2016: Did you know CRABS CAN SMELL! (Detect odors, not BE odorous I mean…) Using chemosensory hairs which are permeable to a variety of odor molecules, crabs wave or flick their antennae to generate currents through the hairs, bringing smells close to sensory surfaces- though this works differently for marine species.

http://phys.org/news/2016-01-crabs.html

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/25/2016: Uroptychus bispinatus, known in China as the “Double Thorn Orio Shrimp” (雙刺折尾蝦) is a species of Squat Lobster first accurately catalogued in Oceana and North Australia during the "Albatross" Philippine Expedition of 1907-1910. This family Chirostylidae species was later taxonomically validated in 1988 by Japanese researcher, Keiji Baba. Living among similarly-colored gold corals, the ‘bispinatus’ in “Orio’s” name literally means ‘two-spined’, and was named for the two spines found along the palm of its walking legs: it’s farm more common for squat lobsters to have NO spines, or alternatively, a subsequent row of them. It’s assumed U. bispinatus’ two-spines make perfect adaptations for clinging small coral branches.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=392057
http://www.gbif.org/species/4311434

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CRINCH! ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/26/2016: Eumunida funambulus, known in Taiwan as the “Thorny Rope Dancing Shrimp,” (繩舞真刺蝦) is a squat lobster belonging to the super-family Chirostyloidea of the infra order Anomura. These Indo-Pacific beasties get their name from A) Being SUPER SPIKEY and B) climbing up ropes on fishermen’s nets, in hopes of snagging a chunk of bait. Makes perfect sense given that their proclivity for climbing comes from their hunting habit of climbing to the swaying end of a fan coral or sea plant, in hopes of reaching more food over a wider area.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=392710
http://eol.org/pages/4257888/overview

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Sometimes translating foreign crab names is a bugger: (See Attached)

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CRINCH! #‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/27/2016: Galathea pilosa, known is some circles as the Moorea Squat Lobster, is perhaps the MOST BEAUTIFUL crustacean on Earth! G. pilosa is found exclusively in the shallows surrounding the islands of French Polynesia, nestling in reef and rock outcrops during the day and venturing out to feed at night. This rare species of Galatheid crab robs equally brightly-colored anemones of food they have ‘caught’ but not yet eaten. Undoubtedly however, it’s the intricate patterns of bright blue, purple, yellow and red which stands out as the species' most distinctive trait.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=392250
http://eol.org/pages/4258169/overview

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It’s the final day of SQUAT LOBSTER week here at ‪#‎CrabOfTheDay! Hope you enjoyed these wild-armed crab-cousins!



CRINCH! #‎CrabOfTheDay‬ for 01/28/2016: The Pale Squat Lobster or Munidopsis vesper, is a re-confirmed deepwater species of squat lobster, found primarily off the coast of northwestern Australia. Though records of this critter exist from way-back, taxonomic finalization came relatively recently during the Taylor, Ahyong & Andreakis study of 2010, making Munidopsis vesper relatively ‘entirely new’ to science.

While many species of Munidopsis squat lobster are colorful, M. vesper certainly isn’t. Found about 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) below the ocean's surface, light and subsequently, color, becomes less important. In the dark at these depths, these crabs use other stimuli to find mates and avoid predation.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=536781
http://eol.org/pages/19887154/hierarchy ... 3/overview