Gabriel Paladino Ibáñez, Uruguay
Info
Calappa japonica Ortmann, 1892
Calappa is a genus of crabs known commonly as box crabs or shame-faced crabs.
Calappa japonica was first discovered in Tokyo Bay, Japan. It is now known that the pubic crab is also found in distant regions such as Africa and Western Australia, as well as the Red Sea and in waters up to 250 m deep. This spectacular red and yellow crab was first reported in Western Australia in 1989 by river fishermen accidentally caught a specimen in a crab trap.
Calappa japonica is a large crab and has yellow and red coloring. The length of the carapace is approximately 0.65 times the width, with a bumpy surface. There are seven sharp teeth on the edges
This large species is an active predator that feeds on other marine invertebrates such as oysters, snails and other crabs. The pubic crab's right claw is perfect for crushing the protective shell of a snail. At the base of the movable finger there is a large additional tooth and on the fixed finger there is a corresponding flat plate that acts like a vice to break through the shell. The left scissors are relatively longer and sharper and are used to pull the snail body out of the broken shell.
Calappa is a genus of crabs known commonly as box crabs or shame-faced crabs.
Calappa japonica was first discovered in Tokyo Bay, Japan. It is now known that the pubic crab is also found in distant regions such as Africa and Western Australia, as well as the Red Sea and in waters up to 250 m deep. This spectacular red and yellow crab was first reported in Western Australia in 1989 by river fishermen accidentally caught a specimen in a crab trap.
Calappa japonica is a large crab and has yellow and red coloring. The length of the carapace is approximately 0.65 times the width, with a bumpy surface. There are seven sharp teeth on the edges
This large species is an active predator that feeds on other marine invertebrates such as oysters, snails and other crabs. The pubic crab's right claw is perfect for crushing the protective shell of a snail. At the base of the movable finger there is a large additional tooth and on the fixed finger there is a corresponding flat plate that acts like a vice to break through the shell. The left scissors are relatively longer and sharper and are used to pull the snail body out of the broken shell.
