Description: A small homolid crab, often found carrying objects such as sponges on its back. The carapace is rectangular shaped, slightly wider anteriorly.
Global Distribution: Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea; tropical to subtropical.
BIOLOGICAL FEATURES
Size: Maximum length 32 mm. Maximum carapace width 14.7 mm.
Age:
Weight length rel.:
Growth type:
von Bertallanfy growth parameters:
Reproduction: Off West Africa, ovigerous females have been recorded in June and September.
Maturity: Not known, but one ovigerous female was 22 mm.
Behavioural ecology: It often carries sponges on its carapace, which it holds with its rear legs. In the Balearic Islands it was found to be associated with the sponge Acanthella acuta. Also, in Madeira and the Canary Islands, it has been observed hiding under the tentacles of the sea anemone Telmatactis cricoides.
Population structure & migrations: There appear to be three populations: one in the Eastern Atlantic, one in the Western Atlantic, and another in the Mediterranean. The eastern Atlantic population is characterized by larger size and faster growth.
ECOLOGICAL FEATURES
Depth range: 10 - 679 m; mostly below 70 m.
Habitat: Benthic, on littoral and upper bathyal bottoms, mostly over soft bottoms. Also inside caves.
Feeding habits:
Trophic level:
FISHERIES
Commercial interest: Not commercial.
Conservation status: Not evaluated.
Nutritional information & food safety:
REFERENCES
IUCN (2014). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.1. www.iucnredlist.org
Manning R.B., Holthuis L.B. (1981). West African Brachyuran Crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda). Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology, 306. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, USA, 379 pp.
