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Phylum Arthropoda > Subphylum Crustacea > Class Malacostraca > Order Decapoda > Brachyurans > Superfamily Majoidea
Sea toad spider crab
Schizophrys sp.*

Family Majidae
updated Dec 2016

Where seen? This large squat crab is sometimes seen on some of our shores, clinging to coral rubble, large boulders or hiding under living corals. Relying on its camouflage, the crab moves slowly.

Features: Body width 4-5cm. Body teardrop-shaped with large spines on the sides. Large eyes on short stalks with a pair of spines between them. Pincers long cylindrical, tucked downwards under the body, claws with spoon-shaped tips. Body and walking legs usually covered with encrustations, except for the ends of the pincers. Some may have small bits and pieces stuck on their bodies, but they are not as well 'decorated' as the Velcro crabs (Camposcia retusa).

Changi, May 09

Eyes wide apart.

One pincer bigger than the other.

Close up of pincers


Pulau Sekudu, May 12

*Species are difficult to positively identify without close examination.
On this website, they are grouped by external features for convenience of display.

Sea toad spider crabs on Singapore shores
On wildsingapore flickr

Other sightings on Singapore shores


Punggol, Jun 11
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog.

Punggol, Jun 12
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog.

Pulau Ubin, Dec 12
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on flickr.


Beting Bronok, Jun 16
Photo shared by Jonathan Tan on facebook.

East Coast Park, Jun 15
Photo shared by Loh Kok Sheng on facebook.

Tanah Merah, Aug 09
Photo shared by James Koh on his blog.


Raffles Lighthouse, Jul 06

Links 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.
  • 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.
  • Jones Diana S. and Gary J. Morgan, 2002. A Field Guide to Crustaceans of Australian Waters. Reed New Holland. 224 pp.
  • Debelius, Helmut, 2001. Crustacea Guide of the World: Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean IKAN-Unterwasserachiv, Frankfurt. 321 pp.
  • Gosliner, Terrence M., David W. Behrens and Gary C. Williams. 1996. Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific: Animal life from Africa to Hawaii exclusive of the vertebrates Sea Challengers. 314pp.
 
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