Grapsus longitarsis
| Grapsus longitarsis | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Family: | Grapsidae |
| Genus: | Grapsus |
| Species: | G. longitarsis |
| Binomial name | |
| Grapsus longitarsis Dana, 1851 | |
Grapsus longitarsis, also known as the long-legged rock crab, is a species of shore crab in the family Grapsidae.[1] It was first described in 1851 by the American zoologist James Dwight Dana.[2] This species occurs throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific,[3] including Hawai'i, Tuamotu Archipelago, the Cook Islands, and has been recorded in regions such as Indonesia,[4] and the coast of Somalia.[3]
Description
[edit]Grapsus longitarsis is a medium-sized crab with an adult carapace width of approximately 32–33 mm and a length of 25–29 mm.[1] The species is physically distinguished from others in its genus by having lateral margins of the carapace that are nearly straight.[2] The body coloration is typically pale yellow and is often marked with small reddish-brown spots.[4] Its walking legs are notably elongated, which is a key characteristic of the species.[3] The fingers of the claws are darker in color and feature "spooned" tips used for feeding.[4]
Distribution and habitat
[edit]Grapsus longitarsis is widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region.[3] The species is native to several island chains, including Hawai'i, Tuamotu Archipelago, and the Cook Islands.[4] It is also commonly found in the waters around Indonesia.[4] Records of the species extend as far west as the coast of Somalia in the Indian Ocean.[3] This crab typically inhabits high-energy coastal environments, such as wave-exposed rocky shorelines.[1] It is a benthic species usually found in the intertidal zone at depths of 0-5 meters.[5] During low tide, the crab is often observed within tidal pools.[4]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Edmondson, C. H. (1959). Hawaiian Grapsidae. Occasional Papers of Bernice P. Bishop Museum" (PDF).
- 1 2 "Grapsus longitarsis Dana, 1851. World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)".
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Vannini, M., & Valmori, P. (1981). Research on the coast of Somalia. Italian Journal of Zoology".
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Long-legged Rock Crab. Cook Islands Biodiversity Database".
- ↑ "Grapsus longitarsis Dana, 1851. Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS)".
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