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Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans > Family Matutidae
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

Changi, Jul 08

Changi, May 05

Flower moon crabs on Singapore shores

Photos for free download from wildsingapore flickr

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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