Ethusa mascarone
Ethusa mascarone is a species of crabs in the family Ethusidae.[1][2]
| Ethusa mascarone | |
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| Ethusa mascarone. Museum specimen | |
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| Species: | E. mascarone |
| Binomial name | |
| Ethusa mascarone (Herbst, 1785) | |
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Description
The cephalothorax of Ethusa mascarone is almost rectangular, it can reach a length of 15 millimetres (0.59 in) and a width of 13 millimetres (0.51 in). The body color is gray-brown, with brown lines on the carapace and transverse striae on the abdomen. Chelipeds and legs are lighter and white speckled.[3]
The front pairs of legs are long, but the hind legs are shorter and are used to carry on the back a variety of objects and organisms, especially valves of bivalves, by which these crabs camouflage and protect themselves.[4]
They mainly feed on small organisms and decaying flesh of dead animals.[4]
Habitat
These crabs live on sandy substrate and muddy bottom, from a few meters up to 75 m deep.[4]
References
- Türkay, M. (2001). Decapoda, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 284–292