Arrow-head
spider crab
Menatheius sp.*
Family Epialtidae
updated
Dec 2019
Where
seen? This tiny crab is sometimes seen on some of our shores,
among seagrasses and seaweeds. It is probably quite common but overlooked
because it is so well camouflaged.
Features: Body width 0.5-1cm.
Body rather flat and quite triangular with a sharp pointed tip between
the eyes. Walking legs and pincers long. May be brown or green. Slow
moving.
According to the Singapore Red Data Book, the One-horned spider crab
(Menaethius monoceros) is found among seaweeds such as Sargassum,
and among seagrasses on rocky or sandy/muddy shores. It also covers
itself with debris to blend into the surroundings. |
Labrador, Jun 05
|
Chek Jawa, Jan 02
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*Species are difficult
to positively identify without close examination.
On this website, they are grouped by external features for convenience of
display.
Arrow-head
spider crabs on Singapore shores |
Other sightings on Singapore shores |
Changi, Apr 09
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his
blog. |
Chek Jawa, Aug 20
Photo shared by Vincent Choo on facebook. |
|
Tanah Merah, Jul 09
Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoon on her
blog. |
Terumbu Selegie, Jun 11
Photo shared by James Koh on his
blog. |
|
Big Sister Island, Feb 24
Photo shared by Vincent Choo on facebook. |
Cyrene, Aug 15
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his
blog. |
|
References
- 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. The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. Supplement
No. 17, 31 Jan 2008. 286 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.
- 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.
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