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| crabs text index | photo index |
| Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans |
| Paddler
crab Varuna sp. Family Varunidae updated Oct 08 Where seen? This crab with paddling legs is sometimes seen on our shores near mangroves and freshwater streams. It is usually seen drifting on flotsam or seaweed. This particular one was seen on top of a large piece of plastic. Features: Body width 3-5cm. It has a squarish body and flat legs. The last two pairs of legs are paddle shaped and fringed with hairs. These allow the crab to paddle for short distances. It is actually a freshwater crab but adults return to the sea to hatch their eggs. What does it eat? It is a scavenger. Human uses: In many parts of Southeast Asia, these little crabs are harvested as food. The females with eggs are particularly relished. |
 Changi Jun 07 |
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| Family
Varunidae recorded for Singapore from Wee Y.C. and Peter K. L. Ng. 1994. A First Look at Biodiversity in Singapore **Ng, Peter K. L. & N. Sivasothi, 1999. A Guide to the Mangroves of Singapore II (Animal Diversity). ***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. in red are those listed among the threatened animals of Singapore from Ng, P. K. L. & Y. C. Wee, 1994. The Singapore Red Data Book: Threatened Plants and Animals of Singapore
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