That’s amazing. What is it on, and are these crabs common?
The crab is sitting on a coral known as Millepora, although it is not a “normal” coral. Stony corals and soft corals (as well as anemones, zoanthids and other coral-like groups) belong to Class Anthozoa. Millepora belongs to Class Hydrozoa and so is actually more closely related to bluebottles AKA Portuguese man-o-war, Physalia physalis than it is to other corals. They are also known as fire corals, and those hairs you can see sting – and they cause a burning sensation.
Spider crabs aren’t uncommon, but being small and mostly nocturnal, they aren’t often seen.
Comments
That’s amazing. What is it on, and are these crabs common?
The crab is sitting on a coral known as Millepora, although it is not a “normal” coral. Stony corals and soft corals (as well as anemones, zoanthids and other coral-like groups) belong to Class Anthozoa. Millepora belongs to Class Hydrozoa and so is actually more closely related to bluebottles AKA Portuguese man-o-war, Physalia physalis than it is to other corals. They are also known as fire corals, and those hairs you can see sting – and they cause a burning sensation.
Spider crabs aren’t uncommon, but being small and mostly nocturnal, they aren’t often seen.
– Andrew Trevor-Jones
That’s all fascinating information, thank you. Such a weird world down there, who needs aliens!
You’re welcome.
– Andrew Trevor-Jones
Congratulations!
Thanks for the feature, Rainy.
8 March 2009.
– Andrew Trevor-Jones
Thanks for the feature, Anna.
9 March 2009.
– Andrew Trevor-Jones