Muelly
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Metopograpsus thukuhar (Owen, 1839)
Metopograpsus thukuhar is a mangrove crab with a large distribution range. The small crab can be found in the tides, in brackish water, especially in mangrove areas. It is found in mangrove regions mainly in areas with Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal and Avicennia marina, where it hides among the mangrove roots. At low tide the mangrove crab is active, but at high tide they can be seen moving to the mangrove roots above the water level.
The mangrove crab is an omnivore that feeds on aquatic plants, mangrove-associated animals and animal carcasses.
It is not a burrowing crab species, it only lives near the lower trunk regions and roots, but according to WoRMS it is also capable of climbing.
The male grows to a maximum size of 5 cm. Carapace and legs are brownish-yellow or brownish-red with spots. The claws are purple in adult crabs and pink in juveniles.
Synonymised names
Grapsus thukuhar Owen, 1839 · unaccepted > superseded combination
Metopograpsus eydouxi H. Milne Edwards, 1853 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Metopograpsus intermedius H. Milne Edwards, 1853 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Pachygrapsus parallelus Randall, 1840 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Metopograpsus thukuhar is a mangrove crab with a large distribution range. The small crab can be found in the tides, in brackish water, especially in mangrove areas. It is found in mangrove regions mainly in areas with Rhizophora mucronata, Ceriops tagal and Avicennia marina, where it hides among the mangrove roots. At low tide the mangrove crab is active, but at high tide they can be seen moving to the mangrove roots above the water level.
The mangrove crab is an omnivore that feeds on aquatic plants, mangrove-associated animals and animal carcasses.
It is not a burrowing crab species, it only lives near the lower trunk regions and roots, but according to WoRMS it is also capable of climbing.
The male grows to a maximum size of 5 cm. Carapace and legs are brownish-yellow or brownish-red with spots. The claws are purple in adult crabs and pink in juveniles.
Synonymised names
Grapsus thukuhar Owen, 1839 · unaccepted > superseded combination
Metopograpsus eydouxi H. Milne Edwards, 1853 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Metopograpsus intermedius H. Milne Edwards, 1853 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Pachygrapsus parallelus Randall, 1840 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
