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Floral
egg crab
Atergatis floridus
Family
Xanthidae
updated
Dec 2019
if you
learn only 3 things about them ...
 These crabs are poisonous to eat! Their toxins are NOT
destroyed by cooking.
They are generally secretive and slow-moving.
They
are not venomous but it's best not to touch them. |
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Where
seen? This round well-camouflaged crab is commonly seen
on our Southern shores, among coral rubble or reefs. But sightings usually
not as numerous as the Red egg crab - perhaps because it is more well camouflaged? It is more active at night.
Features: Body width 8-10cm. Body
oval, smooth surface and smooth body edge decorated spaced out little circles. Body colour greenish- and greenish-blue-brown. 'Floridus'
in Latin means 'flowery' and indeed, the body of adults always have a fine network of fine lines white or yellow that forms
a delicate lacy floral pattern. Also called the Shawl crab because
the lacy white pattern resembles a shawl. Large pincers both about
equal in size, smooth (no pimples) with black tips that are spoon-shaped.
Males may have larger pincers. Walking legs thick squarish with lilac
edges, not hairy. |
Sentosa, May 04 |
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What does it eat? Although it
is described as a vegetarian, one was seen happily eating a fish.
Like most other Xanthid crabs, it is highly
poisonous and should not be eaten.
Status and threats: This crab
is listed as 'Vulnerable' on the Red List of threatened animals of
Singapore. |
A pair of mating egg crabs.
Cyrene Reef, Jul 10
Photo shared by James Koh on his
blog. |
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| Floral
egg crabs on Singapore shores |
| Other sightings on Singapore shores |
East Coast PCN, Jul 20
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook. |
East Coast Park (B), Nov 25
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook. |
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Labrador, Oct 25
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook. |
Sentosa Tg Rimau, Oct 25
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook. |
St John's Island, Oct 25
Photo shared by Adriane Lee on facebook |
St John's Island, Oct 25
Photo shared by Adriane Lee on facebook |
Seringat-Kias, Nov 19
Photo shared by Marcus Ng on facebook. |
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Pulau Jong, Aug 25
Photo shared by Marcus Ng on facebook. |
Pulau Hantu, Dec 25
Photo shared by Jianlin Liu on facebook. |
Terumbu Raya, May 24
Photo shared by Che Cheng Neo on facebook. |
Beting Bemban Besar, May 10
Photo shared by James Koh on his
blog. |
Terumbu Bemban, Jun 10
Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoom on her
blog. |
Terumbu Bemban, Apr 24
Photo shared by Tammy Lim on facebook. |
Terumbu Pempang Tengah, May 11
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his
blog. |
Terumbu Pempang Laut, Aug 21
Photo shared by Vincent Choo on facebook. |
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Pulau Pawai, Dec 09
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his
flickr. |
Pulau Biola, Dec 09
Photo shared by James Koh on his
flickr. |
Pulau Jong, Apr 15
Photo shared by Marcus Ng on facebook. |
Pulau Senang, Jun 10 |
Pulau Senang, Aug 10 |
Pulau Salu, Aug 10 |
Links
References
- Peter K.
L. Ng and Peter J. F. Davie, 31 Dec 2007, On
the identity of Atergatis floridus (Linnaeus, 1767) and
recognition of Atergatis ocyroe (Herbst, 1901) as a valid
species from the Indian Ocean (Crustacea: Brachyura: Xanthidae)
The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 2007 Supplement No. 16 : 169-175
National University of Singapore
- Lim, S.,
P. Ng, L. Tan, & W. Y. Chin, 1994. Rhythm of the Sea: The Life
and Times of Labrador Beach. Division of Biology, School of
Science, Nanyang Technological University & Department of Zoology,
the National University of Singapore. 160 pp.
- Gopalakrishnakone
P., 1990. A
Colour Guide to Dangerous Animals.
Venom & Toxin Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, National
University of Singapore. 156 pp.
- Davison,
G.W. H. and P. K. L. Ng and Ho Hua Chew, 2008. The Singapore
Red Data Book: Threatened plants and animals of Singapore.
Nature Society (Singapore). 285 pp.
- Chuang, S.
H., 1961. On
Malayan Shores.
Muwu Shosa, Singapore. 225 pp., plates 1-112.
- Davison,
G.W. H. and P. K. L. Ng and Ho Hua Chew, 2008. The Singapore
Red Data Book: Threatened plants and animals of Singapore.
Nature Society (Singapore). 285 pp.
- 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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