Crabs of the World

Greetings to all 1,295 members of Crabs of the World. Thanks for increasing our new total of 1,929 species, 40 more than just two months ago! In the past two months we have 175 new members, since iNaturalist featured it. Every two to three months, I highlight some interesting observations. It’s a cold, rainy day where I live, so today seemed like a good day for this. I envy those of you diving in warm, clear, turquoise water! Quick reminder— Everyone, please add your crab observations to this project, as they are not automatically added.

First, a focus on some species that are new to iNaturalist:
•A Neostrengeria boyacensis (Neotropical Freshwater Crab) by @ada_crab in Colombia:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/106338879

•Two new Round Crabs by @dama in Hawaii (need confirmation to be Research Grade):
A lovely lavender and burgundy Xanthias canaliculatus:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/133181916
A Paraxanthias notatus with peach-colored eyes:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/133181906

•@encyrtid is the administrator of a fabulous project, Brachyuran Crabs of China: www.inaturalist.org/projects/brachyuran-crabs-of-china and here are some first Sesarmid Marsh Crabs:
A Parasesarma ungulata:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/106163882
A Parasesarma maipoense:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/106163879
And a Parasesarma exquisitum:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/106163878

Next, six hermit crabs:
•A Dardanus megistos (White-spotted Hermit Crab) by @mndiminuco in Guam, noted by @grahammcmartin because it moved into an unusual shell:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/133903196

•A rather amazing Dardanus gemmatus (Jeweled Anemone Hermit Crab by @sea-kangaroo in Hawaii:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/138671637

•Magical eyes on this Dardanus fucosus (Barrie Hermit) by @coralreefdreams in Florida:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/138544712

•The brightest blue Coenobita purpureus (Blueberry Hermit Crab) by @kuroshio in Japan:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/140328091

•Great closeup photos of a Cestopagurus timidus (Pagurid Hermit Crab) by @susanne-kasimir in Spain:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/133744110

•A beautifully colorful Pagurus prideaux (Prideaux’s Hermit Crab) by @dennisthediver in the Canary Islands:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/132667107

And now, some other noteworthy crabs:
•Two very interesting observations of the amazing Dorippe frascone (Urchin Carrier Crab):
(1) by @tantsusoo in Sulawesi, Indonesia:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/137275465
(2) by @albertkang in The Philippines:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/139707990

•A tiny and lovely crab, Amarinus lacustris, by @invertebratist in New Zealand:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/108358401
and years ago by @corunastylis in Australia:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/137715054

•A gorgeous Munda olivarae (Olivar’s Squat Lobster) by @pincetczy in The Philippines:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/134847720

•A hiding Caphyra loevis (Xenia Swimming Crab), by @craigjhowe in Sulawesi, Indonesia:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/138963918

•A great photo of a Petrolisthes boscii (Striated Red Porcelain Crab) by @ajamalabad in India:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/67233399

•Finally, a very cool crab (Superfamily Majoidea) not yet identified to species by @djscho in the Cayman Islands:
www.inaturalist.org/observations/140276272

Please notify me if you see any crabs new to iNaturalist or of interest. I’ll report on them in the next post. Thanks! Wendy @wendy5 less ↑