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Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans > Family Matutidae
Spotted moon crab
Ashtoret lunaris
Family Matutidae
updated Feb 09

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

A huge dead crab, bliss!
Changi, Oct 08

Spotted moon crabs on Singapore shores


Underside
Changi, May 05

Sturdy pincers tucked against the body.

All walking legs end in paddles.


Changi, Apr 10


Changi, Jul 07


Sentosa, Jun 07

Changi, Jul 07

Changi, Apr 09
Mating or eating the smaller crab?


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 | southern shores


Acknowledgements
Grateful thanks to Crabhunter for identification of some of these crabs.

Links

References

  • Ng, Peter K. L. and Daniele Guinot and Peter J. F. Davie, 2008. Systema Brachyurorum: Part 1. An annotated checklist of extant Brachyuran crabs of the world. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. Supplement No. 17, 31 Jan 2008. 286 pp. (Online PDF on the Raffles Bulletin of Zoology website).
  • Jones Diana S. and Gary J. Morgan, 2002. A Field Guide to Crustaceans of Australian Waters. Reed New Holland. 224 pp.
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