Ethusa mascarone
| Ethusa mascarone | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Ethusa mascarone. Museum specimen | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Crustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Section: | Eubrachyura |
| Subsection: | Heterotremata |
| Superfamily: | Dorippoidea |
| Family: | Ethusidae |
| Genus: | Ethusa |
| Species: | E. mascarone |
| Binomial name | |
| Ethusa mascarone (Herbst, 1785) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Ethusa mascarone is a species of crabs in the family Ethusidae. [1][2]
Description
The cephathorax of Ethusa mascarone is almost rectangular, it can reach a length of 15 millimetres (0.59 in) and a width of 13 millimetres (0.51 in). The body color is gray-brown, with brown lines on the carapace and transverse striae on the abdomen. Chelipeds and legs are lighter and white speckled. [3]
Legs are very long, but hind legs are shorter and are used to carry on the back a variety of objets and organisms, especially valves of bivalves, by which these crabs camouflage and protect themselves. [4]
They mainly feed on small organisms and decaying flesh of dead animals. [4]
Distribution
This species is present in the Mediterranean Sea. [5][6]
Habitat
These crabs live on sandy substrate and muddy bottom, from a few meters up to 75 m deep. [4]
References
- Türkay, M. (2001). Decapoda, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 284-292