Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Calappa japonica

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Kingdom
  
Animalia

Class
  
Malacostraca

Infraorder
  
Brachyura

Phylum
  
Arthropoda

Rank
  
Species

Subphylum
  
Crustacea

Order
  
Decapoda

Family
  
Calappidae

Genus
  
Calappa

Calappa japonica museumwagovausitesdefaultfilesimagecachewa

Similar
  
Calappa, Calappa calappa, Calappa hepatica, Calappidae, Calappa lophos

Strange crab calappa japonica


Calappa japonica, also known as the Japanese shame-faced crab, is a marine species of box crab in the family Calappidae.

Contents

calappa japonica butterfly ray


Description

Calappa japonica is a large crab, and has a yellow and red colouration. The length of carapace is approximately .65 times the width, with a tuberculated surface. Seven sharp teeth are located around the margins of each clypeiform expansion.

Distribution and habitat

This species was first discovered in Tokyo Bay, Japan. It is now known to occur in regions as far away as Africa, and lives in waters up to 250 metres deep. and has been found in the Red Sea.

Behaviour and diet

This crab is a predator, and feeds on invertebrates such as other crabs, as well as oysters and snails. It has a specially adapted right pincer which it uses to break open snail's shells. There is a large accessory tooth located at the base of the hinged part of the claw located opposite a flat plate on the fixed part. After breaking open the shell, it uses its left pincer. This is sharper and longer than the right.

References

Calappa japonica Wikipedia