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| arthropods text index | photo index |
| Phylum Arthropoda | Class Merostomata | Order Xiphosura > Family Limulidae |
| Mangrove
horseshoe crab Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda Family Limulidae updated Nov 2019 Where seen? This is the smaller of our horseshoe crabs. It is sometimes encountered in our northern shores, in mudflats, mangroves and shores nearby. Features: Diameter to about 15cm. The circular shell is brownish. Identified by shorter spines on the side of the body, the tail is circular in cross-section near where it joins the body, without a groove on the underside and without spines on the upperside. The male's special legs for holding on to the female has two 'fingers'. The underside is sometimes encrusted with Flat slipper snails (Crepidula walshi) and bryozoans. Sometimes confused with the Coastal horseshoe crab (Tachypleus gigas). More on how to tell them apart. Status and threats: This horseshoe crab is listed as 'Vulnerable' in the Red List of threatened animals of Singapore. According to the Singapore Red Data Book: "It is still relatively common in intact mangroves, and should survive as long as there are enough such habitats conserved." |
 Using its tail to flip over to the right side Changi, Jun 05 |
 Spines on the side of the body shorter. |
 Tail near the body is circular in cross-section and smooth on the upperside. |
 Male's special legs for holding onto the female has two 'fingers'. |
 Tail without a groove on the underside. |
 Juvenile horseshoe crab. Kranji, Jun 08 |
| Mangrove horseshoe crabs on Singapore shores |
On wildsingapore
flickr
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| Other sightings on Singapore shores |
| Pasir Ris Park, Mar 18 |
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References
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