| Macrophthalmus pacificus | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Family: | Macrophthalmidae |
| Genus: | Macrophthalmus |
| Subgenus: | Mareotis |
| Species: | M. pacificus |
| Binomial name | |
| Macrophthalmus pacificus Dana, 1851 | |
| Synonyms [1] | |
| |
Macrophthalmus pacificus is a species of sentinel crab found widely across the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, including India, Japan, Malaysia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and northern Australia. [2]
In Australia it is found in the north from northern New South Wales to around Exmouth in Western Australia. [1] M. pacificus lives in mud in tidal zones of river mouths' adjacent mangrove forests in low tide areas. The claws of adult males are sky blue. [3] It is often found feeding in shallow still water, and in soft mud. [4] : 2 The upper claw of males has a tooth on the upper claw (dactyl). Like other Macrophthalmus species, the claws of the male are larger than those of the female. [3] The carapace is smooth and shiny, up to around 25 mm across. [5]
A synonym of Macrophthalmus pacificus is Macrophthalmus bicarinatus. [1]
