Purple-mottled Shore Crab

About

These shore crabs can survive out of the water for several hours. As scavengers this species feeds on decaying seaweeds and other sea life along the shorelines and are often found under rocks at low tide scurrying for cover when disturbed.

This genus (Cyclograpsus) of crabs shares a lot of the same characteristics making it harder to identify them from each other the fact they do hybridise with each other also makes it harder to ID them.

Identification

With this species the carapace does not have any notches and varies greatly with colours from that mottled purple to dark reds, oranges and greys much like Cyclograpsus audouinii.

That being said the name for this species gives some indication of how to identify them and one key characteristic is the granulation along the front of the carapace basically the front of this crabs shell is more rough than Cyclograpsus audouinii This crab also lacks the dense tufts of hairs or setae between the base of the legs.

Size

Grows up to around 4cm

Habitat

Under rocks at mid to high intertidal levels

Distribution

South-eastern Australia

Gallery

Select any photo or video to view it large with its details and credits.

📷 wildroo 📷 Wild Roo Designs 📷 Wild Roo Designs 📷 Wild Roo Designs 📷 Wild Roo Designs 📷 Wild Roo Designs 📷 Wild Roo Designs 📷 Wild Roo Designs 📷 wildroo 📷 wildroo

Local Sightings

1 recorded sighting in and around the area.

References & citations (2)

1. The Atlas of Living Australia (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)
2. WoRMS (2021). Cyclograpsus granulosus H. Milne Edwards, 1853. (accessed 2021-09-22 14:03:33)