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The Velcro crab is common in the coral rubble area, but hard to spot!
Clever camouflage: This crab snips
off bits of sponges and seaweed or selects suitable shells and debris.
These are then stuck firmly onto the fine, hooked hairs which densely
cover its body and legs. These 'decorations' not only camouflage the
crab, but the distasteful nature of some sponges might also give predators
second thoughts about taking a bite out of the crab. The attached
sponges and algae often continue to grow. Tiny animals might settle
on the sponges. Besides the Velcro crab, other species of crabs have
also developed this habit of decorating themselves.
Velcro Food: Relying on its disguise,
the crab moves slowly, feeding on small creatures. Its dainty feeding
pincers are often the only parts of its body left unadorned!
Human uses: Unfortunately, the
Velcro crab is among those sold in the live aquarium trade. |
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The dainty feeding pincers are the only
part left unadorned |
See
also ...
Other spider crabs of the Family Majidae
Links
Majidae:
The Magic Decorator Crabs by Bevan Pank on the Biodiversity Explorer
website of the Iziko Museums of Cape Town: A delightful introduction to
this family of crabs.
Other references
- Tan, Leo W. H.
& Ng, Peter K. L., 1988. A Guide to Seashore Life. The Singapore
Science Centre, Singapore. 160 pp. online
version
- Lim, S., P. Ng,
L. Tan, & W. Y. Chin, 1994. Rhythm of the Sea: The Life and Times
of Labrador Beach. Division of Biology, School of Science, Nanyang
Technological University & Department of Zoology, the National University
of Singapore. 160 pp.
- Chuang, S. H.,
1961. On Malayan Shores. Muwu Shosa, Singapore.225 pp., plates
1-112.
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