Parasesarma erythrodactyla

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Parasesarma erythrodactyla, also known as the Red-handed shore crab, is a burrowing crab inhabiting mangrove forests in Australia and Southeast Asia. It is immediately identifiable by its bright red chelipeds (claws) and green/brown carapace.

Sesarmid crabs are generally considered to be a monophyletic taxon (that is, all genetically deriving from a common ancestor) of Grapsoidea. Recent reclassifications of the genera Sesarma and Parasesarma (both considered ployphyletic) have resulted in a reshuffling of the species,[1] and on benthic microalgae such as diatoms for between 20-35% of its nutrition.[2]

A type specimen exists in the Melbourne Museum Discovery Centre (object drawer 15).[3]

Distribution of P. erythrodactyla occurs mainly in tropical and subtropical regions along eastern Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Korea and India, also may occur along Southern Australia (to be verified).

P. erythrodactyla relies on mangrove leaf detritus for about 80% of its nutrition[4], and on benthic microalgae such as diatoms for between 20-35% of its nutrition.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Schubart, C.D., Cannicci, S., Vannini, M. and Fratini, S. (2006). "Molecular phylogeny of grapsoid crabs (Decapoda, Brachyura) and allies based on two mitochondrial genes and a proposal for refraining from current superfamily classification". AMSA Conference Abstract Oral Proceedings. 
  2. ^ Oakes, J.M., Connolly, R.M. and Revill, A.T.. "Enriched carbon isotope labelling to trace the contribution of benthic microalgae to the nutrition of consumers in mangrove forests". Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research 44 (3): 193-199. 
  3. ^ Melbourne Museum. Parasesarma erythrodactyla. Discovery Centre. Retrieved on 2008-06-09.
  4. ^ Connolly, R.M. and Oakes, J.M. (2007). "Carbon pathways in estuarine foodwebs: stable isotope evidence further enriched". AMSA Conference Abstract Oral Proceedings. 
  5. ^ Oakes, J.M., onnolly, R.M. and Revill, A.T. (2006). "Enriched carbon isotope labelling to trace the contribution of benthic microalgae to the nutrition of consumers in mangrove forests". AMSA Conference Abstract Oral Proceedings.