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| crabs text index | photo index |
| Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans > Family Matutidae |
| Spotted
moon crab Ashtoret lunaris Family Matutidae updated Feb 11 Where seen? This spotted moon crab is commonly encountered on our shores. Sandy silty shores, especially near seagrasses. It is more active at night and is rarely seen by daytime visitors as it is then often buried in the sediments. Features: Body width ranges from 3cm to some more than 8cm across. The body has a pair of long spikes on the sides and is beige to yellow with lots of little maroon dots all over the upper part of the body. |
 Changi, Apr 05 |
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 Sometimes seen with algae growing on them. Pasir Ris Park, Jul 08 |
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Spotted moon crabs on Singapore shores
 Tanah Merah, Jul 11 |
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 Underside. Changi, May 05 |
 Sturdy pincers tucked against the body. |
 All walking legs end in paddles. |
 Changi, Apr 10 |
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 Changi, Jul 07 |
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 Swarming over a recently dead fish.  Tanah Merah, Jul 10 |
 A huge dead crab, bliss!  Changi, Oct 08 |
 Sentosa, Jun 07  About to mate? |
 Tiny one eating an injured worm. Chek Jawa, Feb 02 |
 A pair snacking on dead fish...yumm! Chek Jawa, Mar 03 |
 Really tiny one among seaweeds Tanah Merah, Feb 09 |
more photos of spotted moon crabs on Singapore shores
northern shores part 1 | part 2
southern shores
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Acknowledgements
References
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