Gecarcinus lateralis

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Gecarcinus lateralis
G. lateralis on Dominica.
G. lateralis on Dominica.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Gecarcinidae
Genus: Gecarcinus
Species: G. lateralis
Binomial name
Gecarcinus lateralis
(Freminville, 1835)

Gecarcinus lateralis, also known by the common names Blackback land crab, Bermuda land crab, Red land crab (leading to easy confusion with Gecarcoidea natalis) and Moon Crab (leading to easy confusion with G. quadratus and Cardisoma spp.), is a colourful crab from the family Gecarcinidae. It is found near the Atlantic coast from Texas and Florida south to Venezuela and Guyana, including the Antilles. The taxonomy in relations to the Pacific Gecarcinus quadratus is disputed, with many considering it and G. lateralis to be conspecific. Another closely related species, Gecarcinus ruricola, occurs together with G. lateralis in the tropical western Atlantic, but its carapace is almost entirely blackish or dark reddish-brown.

As suggested by the name Blackback land crab, it has a large blackish spot (if seen well, actually very dark brownish), which, although the exact shape is variable, covers a large part of the central carapace ("back"). The legs, claws and outer sections of the carapace are reddish, orange or whitish. The carapace may reach a width of up to 11 cm (4½ in).

While it is a land crab and adults mainly occur in burrows in fields, marshes, mangroves and sandy beaches, they need to return to the ocean to breed (the larvae are released into the sea). Furthermore, its gills need to be moist all the time, or it will die. Compared to most other crustaceans, its blood also has a higher O2 carrying capacity.

It is largely herbivorous, but will take animal matter if available.

[edit] References

  • Bright, D., & C. Hogue. 1972. A synopsis of burrowing land crabs of the World and list of their arthropod symbionts and burrow associates. Contributions in Science. No. 220. Available online (PDF)
  • Burggren, W., & R. McMahon. 1988. Biology of the land crabs. Cambridge University, Cambridge, England.
  • Debelius, H. 2001. Crustacea - Guide of the World. IKAN Unterwasserarchiv, Frankfurt.
  • Redmond, J. 1968. Transport of Oxygen by the Blood of the Land Crab, Gecarcinus lateralis. American Zoologist 8(3): 471-479.
  • Taylor, A., & P. Davies. 1981. Respiration of the land crab, Gecarcinus lateralis. J. exp. Biol. 93: 197-208. Availabe online (PDF)
  • Gecarcinus lateralis (Halloweenkrabbe) - ANZERWELTEN-FORUM (in German). Accessed March 9, 2008