Cardisoma guanhumi
Cardisoma guanhumi | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Malacostraca |
Order: | Decapoda |
Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
Infraorder: | Brachyura |
Family: | Gecarcinidae |
Genus: | Cardisoma |
Species: | C. guanhumi
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Binomial name | |
Cardisoma guanhumi |
Cardisoma guanhumi, also known as the blue land crab or great land crab, is a species of
Description
The carapace of Cardisoma guanhumi can reach a width up to 15 centimetres (6 inches).[5] As with many crab species, males possess dimorphic claws; the larger claw can become longer than the carapace's width. The eyes are stalked and their colour ranges from a deep blue to a pale grey. Juveniles generally have a brown carapace with orange coloured legs. Females usually appear light gray or white. Adult colours are usually present between 80 grams (2.8 ounces) and 180 g (6.3 oz). Individuals of the species can weigh over 500 g (18 oz).[3]
Distribution
C. guanhumi is found throughout
Diet
C. guanhumi is
Senses
C. guanhumi finds its food using light and sound detectors. Experiments show that crabs can be drawn out of their burrows to investigate the sound of falling fruit, once out they initiate a search for food. Predatory behavior is released in these crabs by detection of small moving objects. Crabs in the genus
Life cycle
The reproductive cycle is closely linked to seasonal weather patterns and lunar phase. Heavy rains in the spring initiate migrations. When this occurs, C. guanhumi begins to gain weight, as more food is consumed and gathered for the first few weeks of the migratory period. Males mate with mature females during this time.
C. guanhumi is a slow-growing species compared to most other crabs. It requires more than 60 molts – roughly three times more than other species of crab – to reach its full size. The crab will generally seal the exit to its burrow using mud, 6–10 days before it molts, to protect itself from predators. After molting, crabs are more vulnerable as their shell has not yet hardened.[3]
References
- ^ "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Cardisoma guanhumi Latreille in Latreille, le Peletier, Serville & Guérin, 1828".
- ^ a b Helmut Debelius (2001). Crustacea - Guide of the World (2nd ed.). Frankfurt: IKAN Unterwasserarchiv.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i K. Hill (July 25, 2001). "Cardisoma guanhumi". Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce.
- ^ "Giant Land Crab". The Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Retrieved 2018-10-09.
- ^ a b M.E. Hostetler; F.J. Mazzotti; A.L. Taylor (December 2016). "Blue Land Crab (Cardisoma guanhumi)". University of Florida, IFAS.
External links
- Media related to Cardisoma guanhumi at Wikimedia Commons
- Data related to Cardisoma guanhumi at Wikispecies
- "Land crabs". StJohnBeachGuide.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved June 19, 2007.