Mithraculus cinctimanus
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| Species: | M. cinctimanus
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Mithraculus cinctimanus (Banded Clinging Crab) is a species of crab in the
.Description
Mithraculus cinctimanus is a small crab with an oval carapace slightly longer than it is wide. The front third is slightly hairy and the surface of the hind two thirds is roughened by small tubercles. The front edge has several blunt spines. The colour of the carapace is variable often being olive brown with several large creamy patches. The legs have bands of the same colours and their outer segments are hairy. The fingers of the chelae do not completely close and have rounded tips. An adult Mithraculus cinctimanus is about 22 millimetres (0.87 in) long.[2][3]
Distribution
Mithraculus cinctimanus is found in the Caribbean region its range including Florida, the West Indies, Curaçao, Colombia and Venezuela.[3]
Biology
Mithraculus cinctimanus feeds on filamentous green algae growing on rocks.[3] Young crabs are often found living on the surface of the mushroom coral Ricordea florida. At this stage of their lives, the carapace is often covered with felt-like red algae which provides the crab with camouflage.[4]
Ecology
Mithraculus cinctimanus is usually found living
References
- ^ a b Davie, Peter (2012). "Mithraculus cinctimanus Stimpson, 1860". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved October 17, 2012.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-86622-875-6.
- ^ a b c Bolaños, Juan A.; Hernández, Gonzalo; Lira, Carlos (2000). "Mithraculus cinctimanus Stimpson, 1860 y Speloeophorus pontifer (Stimpson, 1871) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) dos nevas adiciones a la carcinofauna Venezolana" [Mithraculus cinctimanus Stimpson, 1860 and Speloeophorus pontifer (Stimpson, 1871) (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura), two new additions to the crab fauna of Venezuela]. Boletín del Instituto Oceanográfico de Venezuela (in Spanish). 39: 25–31.
- ^ "Mithraculus cinctimanus". Coral morphologic. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
- ^ Herrnkind, William; Stanton, Gregg; Conklin, Edwin (1976). "Initial characterization of the commensal complex associated with the anemone, Lebrunia danae, at Grand Bahama". Bulletin of Marine Science. 26 (1): 65–71.
External links
- Photos of Mithraculus cinctimanus on Sealife Collection