Flower
moon crab
Matuta
planipes
Family Matutidae
updated
Dec 12
Where
seen? This well decorated moon crab is sometimes very commonly
seen on Changi, on sandy areas near seagrasses. It is more active
at night and is rarely seen by daytime visitors as they are then often
buried in the sediments.
Features:
Can grow quite large: body width 5-8cm across. The body
has a pair of spikes on the sides, and has a pattern of maroon edged
circles, closely spaced to one another. The flattened legs are bright
yellow on the upper part with bluish or dark markings near the paddle-shaped
ends. |

Changi, Aug 05
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Changi, Jul 08
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Changi, May 05
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Flower
moon crabs on Singapore shores
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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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