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 | |
|
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