CRINCH! The Crab of the Day!

[Nezumiiro]

CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 03/21/2016: Liocarcinus depurator, commonly called the Harbour Crab is a small swimming crab frequently found in bays/harbors close to or semi-inland. Found in the Mediterranean and entire East Atlantic Ocean- from Africa to Norway, these crabs are easily distinguished from other shore crabs and swimmers by the two arches of light spots on their carapace.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=107387
http://eol.org/pages/2950233/overview

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CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 03/23/2016: Atelecyclus undecimdentatus, aka The European Circular Crab, is a round, cream colored species- found mainly on the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, the English Channel, and the Mediterranean Sea. This family Atelecyclidae crab is rather hairy, with a smooth textured, granular carapace, and black-tipped claws. A. undecimdentatus normally lives in waters at the 30m depth zone, on bottoms ranging from gravel to sandy mud, and heavy slime/muck.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=107274
http://eol.org/pages/2950060/overview

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CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 03/24/2016: Eriocheir japonica, The Japanese Mitten Crab, is native to estuaries, rivers, and lakes of southern Russia, Japan, southern China, Hong Kong, the west coast of Taiwan, and southeastern Korea. Like the better known E. sinensis (Chinese Mitten Crab), E. japonica is “catadromous,” (New Vocab! Or should I say, VoCRAB?) growing to adulthood in freshwater rivers and lakes, and migrating downstream to estuaries for spawning. This species is not currently established in North American waters, and is on-the-whole, far less invasive than its Chinese cousin.

E. japonica is an omnivore and a deposit feeder, mainly eating the detritus derived from vascular plants growing along river channels, filamentous algae, and aquatic insects.

http://eol.org/pages/4266887/overview
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=444767

[Nezumiiro]

CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 03/25/2016: Helice formosensis or the Taiwanese Marsh Crab is a family Varunidae/subfamily Cyclograpsinae (graspid) species found primarily around the coastal mudflats and mangroves of Japan and mainly Taiwan. (DUH! Formosa!) These little nippers are important to the local ecology in that their burrows are one of the primary origins of ecological soil bioturbation. Smaller individuals shelter in these burrows primarily in order to avoid cannibalism! Aside from smaller crabs, these guys eat other small crustaceans, plant bits, and whatever meat they can scavenge!

H. formosensis is semi-terrestrial, requiring a return trip to the seas they’re born in, only to spawn.

http://species-identification.org/speci ... an&id=1735
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=444725

[Nezumiiro]

CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 03/26/2016: The Eastern Mud-Flat Crab or Chasmagnathus convexus (sometimes Ocypode convexus) is a widely loved estuarine crab, found – as its name suggests, in Eastern China and Japan. This bright, nocturnal Varunid crab feeds on a wide range of both animal and plant matter. Two color variations of C. convexus exist: an olive green shade with light orange highlights, and a purple coloration with darker orange margins. The exact reason for these variants is not well known but it is thought to be tied to diet.

One of only three studied species in genus Chasmagnathus, this little crab is more commonly known by its Japanese name, “hamagani, “ (はまがに) meaning ‘Shore Crab.’

FUN FACT: The Golden Ghost Crab species was originally (less correctly) described as Ocypode convexus! Glad science has sorted that out!

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=444704
http://species-identification.org/speci ... an&id=1734

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CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 03/27/2016: Diogenes pugilator, literally called The Small Hermit Crab is a tiny yellowish-green benthic hermit crab from family Paguridae. This diminutive predator usually finds its starter shell, but will JACK AND EAT VARIOUS SNAILS only to move into their now empty shells. D. pugilator differs from most hermit crabs by having the left claw considerably larger than the right, (and not the other way round) though both claws are covered in fine hairs. Small Hermits are found from the coast of Angola as far north as the North Sea, and eastwards through the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea and Red Sea.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=107199
http://eol.org/pages/2949954/overview

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CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 03/28/2016: Uca coarctata or The Compressed Fiddler Crab (sometimes, the “Orange-Claw Fiddler”) is a beautiful species with a dark patterned carapace and distinctive orange chelae. Like all fiddlers, the males have a singular massive, prominent claw with movable top-dactyl, used for ‘mate clicking’ and ritual mating combat displays. This Family Ocypodidae crab has a predominantly tropical Australian distribution, ranging from Darwin, (Northern Territory) East and South to Moreton Bay and the Gold Coast. (Queensland)

The Compressed Fiddler Crab prefers to be high up on steep river and stream banks, where it lives (Elevation wise) above Uca polita and below Uca dussumieri, two other fiddler crabs. On more gentle sloping mudflats it is found with Uca longidigita and Uca vocans.

http://species-identification.org/speci ... an&id=1762
http://eol.org/pages/3118995/overview

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CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 03/29/2016: Chiromantes dehaani, or The Smile Crab is an Asiatic mudflat species from family Sesarmidae. Known in Japan as “kurobenkeigani,” C. dehaani can be spotted by its distinctly uneven, lobed carapace, and hairy walking legs. Relatively long-lived, this mangrove crab is prized in aquariums in that they have an immense urge to move and fulfills this often by daring climbing tours. Thus the tank you keep them in always has to be secured, they use any and all holes to break out, even those you think they'll never reach. Just make sure you have a varied (omnivore) supply of foods to bring them back to their happy homes.

http://web.nchu.edu.tw/~htshih/crab/lis ... ehaani.htm
http://eol.org/pages/4266824/overview

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CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 03/30/2016: Daum's Purple Reef Lobster or Enoplometopus daumi is a GORGEOUS Reef Lobster with a unique pattern of white spots over a pink, red and purple body. E. daumi is EXTREMELY popular with reef tank enthusiasts for its beauty, small size, and peaceful demeanor. In rare cases however, Daum's Reef Lobster will prey on other tank mates if they are unable to scavenge enough food to survive. Another fun ‘side effect’ to having these guys in a tank is that they have a habit of rearranging rocks, and stuff- so make sure rocks are placed securely on the substrate, so they cannot toppled over.

Plentiful in reefs in East Asian waters, E. daumi certainly isn’t a “crab,” but here at #CrabOfTheDay we don’t split setae!

http://eol.org/pages/4254650/overview
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=382833

[Nezumiiro]

CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 03/31/2016: Pisidia longicornis, or the Long-Clawed Porcelain Crab is a brightly colored species of Anomura crab, found in the North-Eastern Atlantic Ocean from Norway to Angola, and also the Mediterranean. Varying in carapace color from reddish or orange to white, this crab seldom grows larger than a centimeter across. One of P. longicornis’ chelipeds (claw) is usually larger than the other, although this difference is less pronounced in females than in males. The fifth pair of walking legs is reduced in size and may be difficult to see.

Long-Claws feed by filtering suspended material from the sea water. Individuals from the intertidal zone tend to be larger than those from deeper water, which may be related to the greater churning of the sediment by the tide.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=107188
http://eol.org/pages/344338/overview

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CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 04/01/2016: Mictyris platycheles, or the Dark Blue Soldier Crab- just ‘cause I haven’t posted a Soldier Crab in quite some time! M. platycheles is a species of semi-tidal mudflat crab found on the east coast of Australia from Tasmania and Victoria to Queensland. These buggers scuttle around the beaches in GIANT SWARMS called “armies.”These crazy things eat by scooping up mudballs and using their specialized mouth to filter out food particles.

The Dark-blue Soldier Crab has a distinctive, globe-shaped, dark-blue and grey carapace with a prominent purple and white bulge on each side towards the rear.

http://bie.ala.org.au/species/Mictyris+platycheles
http://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/417961- ... latycheles

[Nezumiiro]

CRINCH! The BONUS #CrabOfTheDay for 04/01/2016: Fisher Price Shape-imals Crab. I mean, this son of a gun transforms into a wooden square. What’s not to like? This guy is even made with real beech wood! Get it?

http://www.target.com/p/fisher-price-wo ... A-24010653

[Nezumiiro]

CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 04/02/2016: Macropodia deflexa or the Belgian Kelp Spider Crab is a distinct family Inachidae species. This tiny, gangly decorator begins putting kelp starts on its legs and carapace from a juvenile age- by adulthood, it looks pretty leafy! Found in Europe, namely the North Sea, English Channel, Coastal France, and bits of the Northeast Atlantic. Typically a scavenger due to its small size, M. deflexa seldom gets bigger than 3 cm in length.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=107338
http://eol.org/pages/2950166/overview

[Nezumiiro]

CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 04/03/2016: Phimochirus operculatus or The Polkadotted Hermit Crab is a gem of a species, highly prized by marine aquarium enthusiasts! Found in the Caribbean, and Pacific reefs throughout the Americas, (Western Atlantic Ocean and Florida) this well-named crab is perfect for small tanks in that it rarely grows bigger than an inch. As is the case with other hermits, the first pair of Polkadotted Hermits claws are FAR LARGER in proportion to their body, than other crabs. P. operculatus has long stalked eyes and a vibrant mix of scarlet, blue, violet and white spotted markings.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=366821
http://eol.org/pages/1019395/overview

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CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 04/04/2016: Domecia hispida or The Pocillopora Coral Crab is a small yet distinct family Domeciidae crab found on, you guessed it, Pocillopora corals. This tiny crustacean lives its entire existence in a commensal relationship with the Pocillopora “Cauliflower Corals” found in Africa, South Asia, French Polynesia, Oceana, and parts of the Pacific. D. hispida is considered a “True” Coral Crab, like Trapezia and Melia, being that it predominantly exists only among the branches of living corals.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=209146
http://species-identification.org/speci ... an&id=1493

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CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 04/05/2016: Loxorhynchus guinotae, The Baja Sheep Crab is a pretty recently discovered family Pisidae species. Found on the Pacific coast of Mexico, this crab can be distinguished from the other two members of Loxorhynchus (L. grandis and L. crispatus) by the ‘toe tip’ of its first-pair walking legs, AND the (immovable) basal portion of each antennae. L. guinotae was most recently studied and categorized by rockstar Mexican carcinologists, Jose Luis Cervantes Diaz Michel Hendrickx in 2003. Of their survey of the region, Baja Sheep Crabs proved to be the rarest, constituting only 1.35% of the individuals found.

Like all Superfamily Majoidea Pisids Spiders, L. guinotae will usually feed on algae, smaller invertebrates, detritus and dead animals. Generally found mainly on rocky sea floors, Baja Sheep Crabs and their close cousins will sometimes cross open sand or areas with worm tubes, especially at night."

http://eol.org/pages/12180109/overview
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=395792

[Nezumiiro]

CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 04/06/2016: Gecarcinus ruricola or the Zombie Crab (or the Black/Red/Orange/Purple Land Crab) is a color-diverse species of family Gecarcinidae terrestrial crab. Found in Florida, Dominica, Curaçao , Honduras, Jamaica, Cuba, the Caribbean, the Antilles, and as far east as Barbados. Mainly nocturnal as a means of not drying out, G. ruricola must still hatch its eggs in the sea where the larvae live as plankton. Zombie crabs are omnivorous scavengers, feeding mostly on nitrogen-poor (decomposed) plant matter.

If you ever have the chance, EAT THESE CRABS! The meat of G. ruricola is rich in protein, is super sweet, and is frequently harvested by locals.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=422185
http://eol.org/pages/343653/overview

[Nezumiiro]

CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 04/07/2016: Dardanus focosus, or The Bareye Hermit Crab is a Western Atlantic species of hermit found mainly in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Bareyes have blue to blue-green eyes with a dark horizontal bar across the eye when viewed from the front. These guys’ legs and claws are covered with numerous bristlelike hairs, and are banded in a variety of colors that may include white, cream, red, lavender, orange and reddish brown. A close cousin to the ‘Stareye Hermit Crab,’ (Dardanus venosus) the two species are so similar in appearance that laboratory examination is required for positive identification.

Being that these crabs like to swap shells with larger, older ones, it’s not uncommon for a Bareye Hermit to have several anemones on it’s shell.

http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Dar ... ification/
http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/S ... alue=98195

[Nezumiiro]

[b]CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 04/08/2016:[/b] Leptomithrax gaimardii, The Great Spider Crab is a massive Australian Majidae species famously native to Port Phillip Bay- where they congregate by the thousands every year before their winter molt. These crabs are hard to spot when they’re on their own, as algae, sponges and sea squirts set up house on their shells- but it’s hard to miss THOUSANDS of orange crabs marching across the sea floor! Great Spiders hold this yearly jamboree as a means of surviving predators during their most vulnerable, soft-shelled stages.

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=442011
http://eol.org/pages/4265651/overview

[Nezumiiro]

Photo credit: Hsi-Te SHIH, 2013

CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 04/09/2016: Paromola macrochira or the Taiwanese Carrier Crab (Sometimes called the “Formosa Carrier”) is an East Asian/Pacific species known for its proclivity for carting around chunks of sponges! This family Homolidae crab can typically be found it the 300-400 meter depth zone in Hawaii, Japan, and Taiwan. Like all other carrier species, P. macrochira has highly specialized rear walking legs with upturned joints, (sub-dorsal position) which allows them to hold objects in place over the rear half of the carapace as a means of defense.

http://species-identification.org/speci ... pan&id=646
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=440210

[Nezumiiro]

Photo credit: C. D. Schubart.

CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 04/10/2016: Epilobocera haytensis: The Hispaniolan Freshwater Crab, known locally as “Jaiba de Río,“ is a Pseudothelphusid land crab spices found in the lowland and mountain streams of Hispaniola. (Both Haiti and the Dominican Republic.) Considered ‘vulnerable,’ this little guy’s worldwide population is in decline due to human induced habitat degradation. That said, E. haytensis is still fairly common, especially at higher elevations.

Females carry their young protected in their telson, (tailflap) and eventually wash them off in some meander of a creek's current.

http://eol.org/pages/4271074/overview
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=443576

[Nezumiiro]

Photo credit: Koh Phangan

CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 04/11/2016: Porcellanella triloba or The Three-Lobed Porcelain Crab is a gorgeous Indo-West Pacific family Porcellanidae species. As its name suggests, this little spook has lobed body morphology, and a stunning polka-dotted coloration! Often seen in pairs, living commensally on the sea pens commonly seen on the shores of India, Southeast Asia, and Caledonia. Previously labeled ‘Porcellanella picta,’ this crab seldom gets larger than 1cm in body width. Like other Porcelain Crabs, P. triloba can give the illusion of being “fragile” as they can shed their limbs to escape predators.

http://eol.org/pages/2984340/overview
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=210641

[Nezumiiro]

Photo credit: Andy Cowley, 2012

CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 04/13/2016: Achaeus cranchii or Cranch's Spider Crab! This tiny family Inachidae species is found in Europe, North Africa, the Mediterranean, and parts of the Middle East. A ‘true’ spider crab, Cranch's spiders have characteristic swellings on each side of the carapace, covered with groups of bristles or small spines. These are used by the crab to affix hydroids and algae as a means of camouflage. The eyestalks on A. cranchii are especially long! In addition to simply looking like a mess o’ seaweed, this species lives in areas with lots of greenery and is usually WAY DIFFICULT to locate!

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=107313
http://eol.org/pages/343477/overview

[Nezumiiro]

Photo credit: Robert Aguilar, SERC

CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 04/13/2016: Ogyrides alphaerostris or The Estuarine Longeye Shrimp is a Southeastern Pacific through North Atlantic species of family Ogyrididae prawn. These gals/guys are named for their extended eyestalks, giving them a silly ‘bug-eyed’ cartoony look. An important food source for many regional fish, O. alphaerostris fills a carefully balanced ecological niche by being a large part of the diet of the Mexican “Chola Guitarfish,” Rhinobatos percellens.

http://eol.org/pages/344175/overview
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=106998

[Nezumiiro]

Photo credit: Hans Hillewaert

CRINCH! #CrabOfTheDay for 04/15/2016: Calappa sulcata Or The Yellow Box Crab is one of those CLASSICALLY SHAME-FACED crabs found on sand and mud substrates in the Atlantic. (Cape Hatteras, NC, through the Gulf of Mexico to Brazil.) Varying in color from dark-beige to light vermillion and pink, C. sulcata, believe it or not is perfectly suited to blending in with the sediments it buries itself in. Even with those obvious spots!

Photo credit: Hans Hillewaert

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php? ... &id=394994
http://eol.org/pages/313751/overview