CRUSTACEA: DECAPODA: FAMILY: Genus

Species name Author and date

Blue fiddler crab

Photos by Dr. Robert Sprackland

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Diagnosis:

Description: The specimens illustrated were photographed along the mangrove-covered riverbanks of the Binaturi River near the village of Kunini, Papua New Guinea. This was the only location in Western Province were these crabs were observed during a 2000 survey.

The crabs measure 10 mm across the carapace. Eyes are on long stalks. 

Natural History: Observed in only one locality, where huge swarms covered the nearly vertical mud riverbanks. They dig small tubular holes into the mud between the mangrove roots, and are almost constantly sifting soil for food. 

Reproduction:

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Type Specimen:

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