Calappa japonica
| Calappa japonica | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Crustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Family: | Calappidae |
| Genus: | Calappa |
| Species: | C. japonica |
| Binomial name | |
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Calappa japonica Ortmann, 1892 |
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Calappa japonica, also known as the Japanese shame-faced crab, is a marine species of box crab in the family Calappidae.
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.
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.
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.
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Wikipedia