Thalamita crenata, the mangrove swimming crab, crenate swimming crab or spiny rock crab,[2] is a swimming crab species in the genus Thalamita.[3] Distributed all over marine and brackish waters of Indo-West Pacific regions. It is widely used as an edible crab in many countries.
Carapace round with five antero-lateral teeth. Carapace with 3 pairs of gastric ridges which is perfectly smooth. Male has long and thin first pleopod, which gradually tapering to tip.[5]
Ecology
The species usually forage at night feeds on many bivalves and slow-moving crustaceans. It is found in intertidal areas of mangrove swamps,[6] consisting of Rhizophora mucronata zone and mangrove forests.
The crab is known to uses landmarks to locate its refuges using direct shortcut paths.[7]
↑ Cannicci, S; Barelli, C; Vannini, M (2000). "Homing in the swimming crab Thalamita crenata: a mechanism based on underwater landmark memory". Animal Behaviour. 60 (2): 203–210. doi:10.1006/anbe.2000.1458. PMID10973722.
Further reading
Vezzosi, Roberto; Barbaresi, Silvia; Anyona, Diana; Vannini, Marco (1994). "Activity patterns in Thalamita crenata Portunidae, decapoda): A shaping by the tidal cycles". Marine Behaviour and Physiology. 24 (4): 207. doi:10.1080/10236249509378895.
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