Acanthonyx dentatus

Distribution

The toothed decorator crab is known around the southern African coast from Cape Columbine to Richards Bay subtidally to 43 m. It is also known from the Red Sea.

Description

The toothed decorator crab may grow to 40 mm across. It is usually a well camouflaged crab, decorating its carapace with hydroids and seaweeds, offering camouflage and also defence, since hydroids sting and many seaweeds are chemically noxious. Its carapace is teardrop-shaped with two sharp spines projecting forwards between its eyes. There are two marginal spines on its carapace. It has stubby legs. It is a vivid pink-red to a dull brown in colour.

Ecology

Vividly coloured when recently moulted, these animals are commonly found taking refuge among groups of striped anemones. The crabs use the anemones' habit of shooting sticky defensive threads through their body walls for their own defence.

References

References

1. (2008). "Systema Brachyurorum: Part I. An annotated checklist of extant Brachyuran crabs of the world". [[Raffles Bulletin of Zoology]].
2. (2010). "Two Oceans: a Guide to the Marine Life of Southern Africa". [[Struik Publishers]].
3. Peter Davie. (2010). "''Acanthonyx dentatus'' H. Milne Edwards, 1834".