Hitoshi Takakura (Flickr Brachyura), Japan
Info
Matuta victor (Fabricius, 1781)
A crab in the family Matutidae. This is a family of crabs also known as moon crabs. Moon crabs can swim, but they also burrow. They differ from the swimming crabs of the family Portunidae in that all five pairs of legs are flattened, rather than just the last pair forming paddles, as in the swimming crabs of the family Portunidae. Moon crabs are nocturnal, aggressive predators. They are mostly found on sandy substrates. The name "moon crabs" refers to the bright, round carapace, which is said to resemble a round moon.
Thanks to their paddle-like legs, moon crabs are not only good swimmers, but they are also excellent at digging in the sand. They work like spades and make the crab disappear into the sand very quickly. Most moon crabs feed on small invertebrates or scavengers.
Moon crabs reproduce sexually. Females usually differ from males in having a broader abdomen. This is an adaptation that allows them to carry the eggs under their abdomen until hatching. During the breeding season, the larger male can often be seen holding down a much smaller, immature female and protecting her from other competing suitors. The little female will soon molt and develop into an adult female, and the male will then mate with her.
The moon crab Matuta victor has a rounded carapace with two long, well-developed lateral spines. The maximum carapace width of this species is about 5 cm (without spines). The common moon crab is one of the most commonly encountered moon crab species. The color is pale yellow, with numerous fine maroon spots on the carapace and legs, especially at the joints. It is often found on sandy beaches in the intertidal zone.
In Singapore, Matuta victor is sometimes caught by hand or with nets for human consumption.
Synonymised names:
Cancer victor Fabricius, 1781 · unaccepted > superseded combination
Matuta Lesueurii Leach, 1817 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Matuta Peronii Leach, 1817 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Matuta victrix (Fabricius, 1781) · unaccepted > misspelling
Matuta victrix var. annulifera Henderson, 1887 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Matuta victrix var. crebrepunctata Miers, 1877 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
A crab in the family Matutidae. This is a family of crabs also known as moon crabs. Moon crabs can swim, but they also burrow. They differ from the swimming crabs of the family Portunidae in that all five pairs of legs are flattened, rather than just the last pair forming paddles, as in the swimming crabs of the family Portunidae. Moon crabs are nocturnal, aggressive predators. They are mostly found on sandy substrates. The name "moon crabs" refers to the bright, round carapace, which is said to resemble a round moon.
Thanks to their paddle-like legs, moon crabs are not only good swimmers, but they are also excellent at digging in the sand. They work like spades and make the crab disappear into the sand very quickly. Most moon crabs feed on small invertebrates or scavengers.
Moon crabs reproduce sexually. Females usually differ from males in having a broader abdomen. This is an adaptation that allows them to carry the eggs under their abdomen until hatching. During the breeding season, the larger male can often be seen holding down a much smaller, immature female and protecting her from other competing suitors. The little female will soon molt and develop into an adult female, and the male will then mate with her.
The moon crab Matuta victor has a rounded carapace with two long, well-developed lateral spines. The maximum carapace width of this species is about 5 cm (without spines). The common moon crab is one of the most commonly encountered moon crab species. The color is pale yellow, with numerous fine maroon spots on the carapace and legs, especially at the joints. It is often found on sandy beaches in the intertidal zone.
In Singapore, Matuta victor is sometimes caught by hand or with nets for human consumption.
Synonymised names:
Cancer victor Fabricius, 1781 · unaccepted > superseded combination
Matuta Lesueurii Leach, 1817 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Matuta Peronii Leach, 1817 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Matuta victrix (Fabricius, 1781) · unaccepted > misspelling
Matuta victrix var. annulifera Henderson, 1887 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Matuta victrix var. crebrepunctata Miers, 1877 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
