Decapods Collection (#4)

Male fiddler crab (Uca tetragonon). This crab is found throughout Polynesia. Male fiddler crabs (Uca sp.) communicate to rivals and potential mates by a sequence of waves

Ghost crab (Ocypode cursor). This crab is found on sandy beaches along the coasts of the eastern Atlantic Ocean and eastern Mediterranean Sea

Carrier crab (Homolochunia kullar). This crab lives at a depth of 500-1000 metres in the Pacific Ocean around New Caledonia and Eastern Australia. Unusually, it has rear and front pincers

Calthrop crab (Rhinolambrus contrarius). This crab lives at a depth of 50-60 metres in Indonesia and the West Pacific. The carapace (shell) of this specimen measures 4cm wide

Red frog crab (Ranina ranina). This edible crab lives at a depth of 10-15 metres on the sea bed of the Indo-West Pacific, from the African east coast to Japan and across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii

Moon crab (Matuta victor). This swimming crab is found in the Indo-West Pacific and has legs that are flattened to enable it to swim efficiently through the water

Male Poupinia hirsuta crab. This crab lives at a depth of around 450 metres in Polynesia. The discovery of Poupinia hirsuta was a great scientific event for carcinologists (specialists in crabs)

Guard crab (Trapezia rufopunctata). This crab lives on coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific, Maldives and Polynesia. The carapace (shell) of this specimen measures 2cm wide

Human-faced crab (Dorippe quadridens). This crab is found at a depth of 30-100 metres, throughout the South China Sea, Vietnam and the Indopacific, from Madagascar to Australia

Spotted rock crab (Carpilius maculatus). This edible crab lives at a depth of 10-15 metres in the Indo-West Pacific. Its carapace (upper shell)

Bumblebee Shrimp (Phyllognathia ceratophthalmus) adult, on black sand, Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Pennants Swimming Crab (Portumnus latipes) moult, on beach strandline, Gower Peninsula, Glamorgan, Wales, august

Hairy Squat Lobster (Lauriea siagiani) adult, resting on Barrel Sponge (Xestospongia tertudinaria), Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Blue Swimming Crab (Portunus pelagicus) adult pair, mating at night, Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Kelp Spider Crab (Hyas araneus) adult, standing on gravel, The Wash, Lincolnshire, England, March

Dark-knee Hermit Crab (Dardanus lagopodes) adult, close-up of eyes, Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Dorippid Crab (Dorippe frascone) adult, carrying False Fire Urchin (Astropyga radiata), Lembeh Straits, Sulawesi, Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Box Crab (Calappa sp. ) adult, buried in sand at night, Bunaken, Manado, Northeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
Box Crab (Calappa sp.) adult, buried in sand at night, Bunaken, Manado, Northeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Commensal Shrimp (Pontonides unciger) four adults, camouflaged on whip coral, Manado, Northeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

Red-eyed Crab (Eriphia ferox) adult, in shallow water of rockpool, Maldives, march

Strawberry Land Hermit Crab (Coenobita perlatus) adult, walking on sandy beach at sunset, Maldives, march

Horned Ghost Crab (Ocypode ceratophthalmus) adult, standing at entrance to burrow on sandy beach, Maldives, march

Crab - Edible (Cancer pagurus) Young crab on shore at low tide / found in rock crevices

Pom-pom Crab (Lybia tesselata) adult, with anemones on claws for protection, Reta Island, Alor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Cryptic Sponge Shrimp (Gelastocaris paronae) adult, resting on sponge, Lembeh Island, Sulawesi, Indonesia

Red Reef Lobster (Enoplometopus occidentalis) adult, sheltering in reef at night, Bandaneira, near Ambon Island, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia

Ghost Crab (Ocypode sp. ) adult, on beach habitat at dusk, Nosy Be, Madagascar
Ghost Crab (Ocypode sp.) adult, on beach habitat at dusk, Nosy Be, Madagascar

Saw-edged Spooner Crab (Etisus utilis) adult, feeding on Light-sensitive Sea Cucumber (Holothuria impatiens) at night, Lembata Island, Solor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas) juvenile, climbing over seashells, Joss Bay, Kent, England, september (photographed in specialist photography tank and subsequently returned to wild)

Box Crab (Calappa calappa) adult, buried in sand, Mabul Island, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

Spotted Porcelain Crab (Neopetrolisthes maculatus) adult, fanning for food on anemone, Mabul Island, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

Golden Spearing Mantis Shrimp (Lysiosquilloides mapia) adult, in hole at night, Lembata Island, Solor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Crab - Spider Spiny (Maia squinado) close-up of male Plymouth

Crab - Xantho incisus In degensive attitude on seashore / Wembury, South Devon

Lobster - Montagu's Plated(Galathea squamifera) close-up on shore at extreme low water mark

Coleman's Shrimp (Periclimenes colemani) adult, on Fire Urchin (Asthenosoma varium), Ambon Island, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia

Clear Cleaner Shrimp (Urocaridella antonbrunii) adult, on sponge at night, Lembata Island, Solor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Crab - Velvet (Portunus puber) close-up / on damp stones / Wembury Church Reef

Marbled Shrimp (Saron marmoratus) adult, on reef, Wayil, Wayilbatan, West Papua, New Guinea, Indonesia

Coleman's Shrimp (Periclimenes colemani) adult pair, on Fire Urchin (Asthenosoma varium), Ambon Island, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia

Painted Spiny Lobster (Panulirus versicolor) adult, close-up of face, in reef at night, Bandaneira, near Ambon Island, Maluku Islands, Banda Sea, Indonesia

Blue Land Crab (Cardisoma guanhumi) adult male, close-up of face and claws, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago

Harlequin Crab (Lissocarcinus orbicularis) adult female, releasing eggs near Anemone (Heteractis malu), Lembata Island, Solor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Freshwater Crab (Potamon fluviatilis) adult, near entrance of burrow, Italy, august

Anker's Whipcoral Shrimp (Pontonides ankeri) adult, camouflaged on whip coral, Lembata Island, Solor Archipelago, Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Velvet Swimming Crab (Necora puber) adult, underwater on seabed, Kimmeridge Bay, Dorset, England, april

East Atlantic Sally Lightfoot Crab (Grapsus adscensionis) immature, feeding on rocky shore, Pico Island, Azores, august

Shore Crab (Carcinus maenas) Female / underside

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Discover the fascinating world of decapods, a diverse group of crustaceans that will leave you in awe. From the gravid female Glass and Ghost shrimp delicately perched on a mesmerizing Glass sponge, to the masked crab confidently navigating the sandy seabed in Studland Bay. Feast your eyes on a stunning 1899-1904 color lithograph showcasing the intricate beauty of these creatures. Witness the incredible sight of Christmas Island red crabs emerging from their burrows during rainy season, creating an enchanting spectacle. Marvel at the long-legged spider crab gracefully perched on Dead Man's Fingers coral, while encountering a samurai crab with its striking appearance. Meet the coral hermit crab as it finds refuge within its unique shell home in Yap, Micronesia. Get up close and personal with a White Stripe Cleaner Shrimp in Hawaii, USA - truly nature's cleaning crew. Observe squat shrimp forming symbiotic relationships with anemones in Philippines' vibrant waters. Encounter the majestic Four-horned Spider Crab roaming freely off Kimmeridge coastlines. Admire male helmet crabs displaying their impressive armor-like exoskeletons. Lastly, witness spotted porcelain crabs fanning for food atop anemones in Mabul Island's crystal-clear waters. Join us as we delve into this captivating realm where decapods reign supreme.