Mottled Shore Crab

Pachygrapsus transversus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Superorder: Eucarida
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Grapsidae
Genus: Pachygrapsus
Species: transversus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pachygrapsus transversus: /ˌpækɪˈɡræpsəs trænzˈvɜːrsəs/

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Summary

Pachygrapsus marmoratus, known as the marbled rock crab, is a semi-terrestrial omnivore found in Southern Europe and known for its distinctive colorations and rapid movement.

Physical Characteristics

Square carapace 22–36 millimetres (0.87–1.42 in) long, dark violet brown with yellow marbling.

Identification Tips

Distinguished by the presence of three teeth on each side of the carapace compared to related species.

Habitat

Found in intertidal and subtidal zones of rocky shores.

Distribution

Widespread in Southern Europe, from the Black Sea to the Moroccan coast, and along the Atlantic coasts of Portugal, Spain, and France; observed in the English Channel as far north as Southampton.

Diet

Omnivorous; feeds on algae, mussels, limpets, and its own species.

Life Cycle

Larvae are planktonic and may survive for up to 31 days, leading to gene flow between populations and rapid colonization of new areas.