Please help me to identify this species

[Alesia Chong]

I seem to have searched the whole web, and still couldn't find the name for this crab. Can anyone help?

[Moontanman]

Decorator crab? There are, many species.

[Alesia Chong]

Thanks for your reply! But what kind of decorator crab could it be? I'm lookig for the scientific name of this specie.

The shape looks a lot like a box crab, the size - approximately 20cm across, maybe a bit more.

[Moontanman]

Thanks for your reply! But what kind of decorator crab could it be? I'm lookig for the scientific name of this specie.

The shape looks a lot like a box crab, the size - approximately 20cm across, maybe a bit more.

 

 

I would have to have some more detailed photos of the crab and know exactly where it was collected to even field a good guess. Some pics of the underside and pics of the crab on a neutral background it doesn't blend into so well would be necessary as well.

[Arete]

It's a decorator or brachyuran crab, however there's some difficulties in identifying specific species and you may well need the specimen in hand to key it out - which continued instabilities in the taxonomy of the group might make difficult... sorry for the lack of a straightforward answer.

These guys might be able to assist: http://www-eve.ucdavis.edu/stachowicz/decorator.shtml

Interestingly, the trait has been "lost" and "gained" numerous times throughout the group.

[FarmForest Research]

Its a decorator crab its been in the littoral system for a long time..so the growth of algae on its back. Lucky guy. J

[Alesia Chong]

Thank you all very much! I don't have many pictures of the crab, but it was seen near Manado, Sulawesi and is approximately 20cm across.

[ewmon]

My search also found "teddy bear crab" aka "gorilla crab". Same creature or just similar?

 

[slavenenco]

got to admit that it looks interesting

[too-open-minded]

I dont know, but thats the ugliest crab i have ever seen. He looks awesome though, camouflaged as algae. nice work evolution.