Chlorodiella nigra, also known as the Black Chlorodiella, is a fascinating species of crab belonging to the Xanthidae family.
Description & Characteristics
Chlorodiella nigra is characterized by its dark, often black, carapace. It is a relatively small crab, reaching a maximum size of approximately 5 centimeters in length.
Habitat and Occurrence
Chlorodiella nigra is a marine crab that thrives in the subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and deep zones of the oceans. Its habitat extends from the lower limit of the intertidal zone down to the shelf edge, which is typically around 200 meters in depth. This makes it a neritic species, found in the waters above the continental shelf.
Taxonomy
Chlorodiella nigra is classified within the Class Malacostraca, Order Decapoda, and Family Xanthidae. This places it among the diverse group of crabs that are characterized by their ten legs, a feature shared with other decapod crustaceans such as lobsters and shrimps.
Feeding
Chlorodiella nigra is an omnivore and its diet consists primarily of algae, brine shrimps, and occasionally larger frozen food items. They also have been observed feeding on nori algae, a type of seaweed.
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