Muelly
Info
Cranuca inversa (Hoffmann, 1874)
Mangroves host a wide variety of habitats for numerous macrofauna species that are critical to the health of mangrove ecosystems. Fiddler crabs inhabit muddy intertidal areas and, in warmer regions, mangroves. They feed on everything that comes their way. They are omnivorous and eat, among other things, algae, detritus, mussels, snails and worms.
A number of characteristics can be used to distinguish fiddler crabs. However, a good starting point is to consider the distance between the bases of the eyestalks. Fiddler crabs tend to split into two groups: those whose eyestalks are very close together (“narrow front”) and those whose eyestalks are slightly further apart (“broad front”). Three of these species (Austruca occidentalis, Cranuca inversa and Paraleptuca chlorophthalmus) are broad-fronted species, while the other three (the two Gelasimus and Tubuca urvillei) are narrow-fronted species. The eyestalks of Paraleptuca chlorophthalmus are quite close together and can hardly be described as “broad stalks”.
Male Cranuca inversa may be the easiest of all species to identify, as long as you can get a good look at the large scissors. In this species, the tip of the dactyl (the upper finger) on the large scissors has a forked shape that is completely unique to this species. Scientific research has found that in Cranuca inversa, 50% are right-handed and 50% are left-handed. They are omnivores, eating anything they can find.
Aside from the shape of the dactyl's tip, the large scissors' "hand" and arm are usually pale pink, while the fingers are usually white. The carapace is generally a mix of black and white, usually, although not always, with more black than white. Unfortunately, this color scheme is very similar to the East African fiddler crab (Austruca occidentalis), so it can be very difficult to distinguish them in nature without a good view of the claws. In particular, it is hardly possible to distinguish between the females of the two species from a photo.
Synonymised names:
Gelasimus inversus Hoffmann, 1874 · unaccepted > superseded combination
Gelasimus smithii Kingsley, 1880 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Uca (Cranuca) inversa (Hoffmann, 1874) · unaccepted
Uca (Cranuca) inversa inversa (Hoffmann, 1874) · unaccepted (status change)
Mangroves host a wide variety of habitats for numerous macrofauna species that are critical to the health of mangrove ecosystems. Fiddler crabs inhabit muddy intertidal areas and, in warmer regions, mangroves. They feed on everything that comes their way. They are omnivorous and eat, among other things, algae, detritus, mussels, snails and worms.
A number of characteristics can be used to distinguish fiddler crabs. However, a good starting point is to consider the distance between the bases of the eyestalks. Fiddler crabs tend to split into two groups: those whose eyestalks are very close together (“narrow front”) and those whose eyestalks are slightly further apart (“broad front”). Three of these species (Austruca occidentalis, Cranuca inversa and Paraleptuca chlorophthalmus) are broad-fronted species, while the other three (the two Gelasimus and Tubuca urvillei) are narrow-fronted species. The eyestalks of Paraleptuca chlorophthalmus are quite close together and can hardly be described as “broad stalks”.
Male Cranuca inversa may be the easiest of all species to identify, as long as you can get a good look at the large scissors. In this species, the tip of the dactyl (the upper finger) on the large scissors has a forked shape that is completely unique to this species. Scientific research has found that in Cranuca inversa, 50% are right-handed and 50% are left-handed. They are omnivores, eating anything they can find.
Aside from the shape of the dactyl's tip, the large scissors' "hand" and arm are usually pale pink, while the fingers are usually white. The carapace is generally a mix of black and white, usually, although not always, with more black than white. Unfortunately, this color scheme is very similar to the East African fiddler crab (Austruca occidentalis), so it can be very difficult to distinguish them in nature without a good view of the claws. In particular, it is hardly possible to distinguish between the females of the two species from a photo.
Synonymised names:
Gelasimus inversus Hoffmann, 1874 · unaccepted > superseded combination
Gelasimus smithii Kingsley, 1880 · unaccepted > junior subjective synonym
Uca (Cranuca) inversa (Hoffmann, 1874) · unaccepted
Uca (Cranuca) inversa inversa (Hoffmann, 1874) · unaccepted (status change)
