Alamihi Crab – Metopograpsus messor

, Alamihi Crab - Metopograpsus messor, Metopograpsus messor
Depth: 0 - 5 m

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Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf, Yellow Sea

The Alamihi Crab, scientifically known as Metopograpsus messor, is a fascinating crustacean species found throughout various coastal environments. It is characterized by its distinctive features and unique adaptation to diverse habitats.

Description & Characteristics

The Alamihi Crab, Metopograpsus messor, is a medium-sized crab that typically reaches a maximum size of around 5 cm in carapace width. Its carapace is generally oval-shaped and slightly flattened, displaying a distinctive mottled pattern of brown, grey, and green hues. This coloration provides excellent camouflage within its natural habitat. The crab’s body is covered with a tough, chitinous exoskeleton, which it sheds and regrows periodically throughout its life. A pair of prominent eyes are situated on stalks, allowing the crab to scan its surroundings for potential food sources and predators. The crab also possesses powerful pincers (chelae) on its front pair of legs, used for defense, feeding, and manipulating objects.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Alamihi Crab, Metopograpsus messor, exhibits a wide distribution range and thrives in a variety of coastal habitats. This species is particularly adapted to brackish water environments, such as estuaries and mangrove zones. It frequents intertidal zones, exposed to both aerial and aquatic conditions, particularly in areas with rocky shores, rock coasts, and tide pools. The crab also finds suitable habitats on mud bottoms, muddy grounds, and unconsolidated muddy grounds. Their adaptability to these diverse environments contributes to their ecological success.

The Alamihi Crab, Metopograpsus messor, is typically found in the neritic marine zone, encompassing the subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones. This extends from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge at approximately 200 m water depth. This wide depth range allows them to inhabit various ecological niches within the marine ecosystem.

Taxonomy

The species Metopograpsus messor belongs to the Class: Malacostraca, Order: Decapoda, and Family: Grapsidae. This classification highlights its position within the broader crustacean family tree, emphasizing its key characteristics as a decapod crustacean with ten legs and a flattened body form.

Feeding

The Alamihi Crab, Metopograpsus messor, is an omnivorous feeder, consuming a diverse range of food sources. Its diet includes algae, detritus, small invertebrates such as worms and molluscs, and even carrion. This versatility in feeding habits allows them to adapt to varying food availability and exploit a wide range of resources within their environment.

Associated Species

Image References

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