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| Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans > Family Xanthidae |
| Floral
egg crab Atergatis floridus Family Xanthidae updated Dec 12
Where seen? This round well-camouflaged crab is commonly seen on our Southern shores, among coral rubble or reefs. But it is usually not as numerous as the Red egg crab (Atergatis integeriimus). It is more active at night. Features: Body width 8-10cm. Large oval body, smooth and brown with a fine network of lines in blotches in white, cream or yellow that forms a floral pattern. Males may have larger pincers. Juveniles are light brown with a white band around the edge of the body. Like most other Xanthid crabs, it is highly poisonous and should not be eaten. What does it eat? Although it is described as a vegetarian, one was seen happily eating a fish. Like other Xanthid crabs, it is poisonous and should not be eaten. Status and threats: This crab is listed as 'Vulnerable' on the Red List of threatened animals of Singapore. |
 Sentosa, May 04  |
These crabs are poisonous to eat! Their toxins are NOT
destroyed by cooking.
 A juvenile Brown egg crab. Tuas, Nov 03 |
Floral egg crabs on Singapore shores
| Photos for free download from wildsingapore flickr |
Links
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Venom & Toxin Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, National
University of Singapore. 156 pp.|
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