Grapsus albolineatus

Grapsus albolineatus is a species of decapod crustacean in the family Grapsidae, native to the Indo-Pacific.^[1]

Grapsus albolineatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Suborder:	Pleocyemata
Infraorder:	Brachyura
Family:	Grapsidae
Genus:	Grapsus
Species:	G. albolineatus
Binomial name
Grapsus albolineatus Latreille in Milbert, 1812
Synonyms
Cancer strigosus Herbst, 1799 Grapsus (Goniopsis) flavipes MacLeay, 1838 Grapsus albolineatus Lamarck, 1818 Grapsus longipes Stimpson, 1858 Grapsus peroni Milne-Edwards, 1853 Grapsus strigosus Herbst, 1799

Description

Its carapace, or upper shell, is flat, circular, and rough with arched lateral margins, and may be up to 37 mm in length. Its chelae, or claws, are short, small, and flattened. Its pereiopods, or legs, are long with a tapered end. The margin of the inferior extremity of its last pair of legs is serrate. Males have bigger claws than females. This species is red, blue, or green in color. Its legs are the same color and have irregular dark-brown mottling.

Habitat and distribution

This species occurs in rocky depths and in coral reefs. It is found in the Indo-Pacific from the East African coast to the Chilean coast.^[2][3] This includes the waters of the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Japan, Australia, and the tropical islands of the Pacific Ocean (such as Hawaii).^[4]

Diet

The species consumes a mostly herbivorous diet but also takes small crustaceans and fish.^[5]

Reproduction

Like in most other true crabs, light and temperature are the main environmental factors that determine reproductive activity. The female releases her fertilized eggs in its abdomen. This species has a long planktonic larval phase. As the larva matures, it undergoes a series of molts that allow it to grow and reach maturity.

Gallery

• 
  At Karwar, Karnataka, India
• 
  At Bathala, Maldives
• 
  On the Baa Atoll