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coastal

crabsa guide to the crabs of New Zealand Version 1, 2015

Serena Wilkens Shane Ahyong

1 about this guide | about crabs | morphology index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary

about this guide

Crabs are a group of common marine invertebrates that inhabit our coastlines and our harbours, from the intertidal zone down to the continental shelf. They are a magnificent and very diverse group of sea creatures; we hope that you will enjoy reading about them here, and use this guide to help identify these splendid creatures in the wild.

COASTAL CRABS is a fully illustrated working e-guide to the most commonly encountered crabs of New Zealand. It is designed for New Zealanders like you who live near the sea, dive and snorkel, explore our coasts, make a living from it, and for those who educate and are charged with kaitiakitanga, conservation and management of our marine realm. It is one in a series of e-guides on New Zealand’s inspirational marine invertebrates that NIWA’s Coasts and Oceans group is presently developing.

The e-guide starts with a simple introduction to living crabs and how to identify them, followed by an index based on morphology (shape), and a species index, followed by detailed individual species pages and additional supporting information. As new species are discovered and described, new species pages will be added and an updated version of this e-guide will be made available.

Each species page illustrates and describes features that enable you to differentiate the species from each other. Species are illustrated with high quality images of the in life. As far as possible, we have used characters that can be seen by eye or magnifying glass, and language that is non-technical. Information is provided in descriptive text or quick reference icons that convey information without words. Icons are fully explained at the end of this document and a glossary explains unfamiliar terms.

Dr Serena L. Wilkens is a marine scientist based in New Zealand. She has a particular interest in biosecurity, biofouling and invasive species, and is currently working on the parataxonomy of New Zealand coastal crabs.

Dr Shane T. Ahyong is a Senior Research Scientist at the Australian Museum and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of New South Wales. Primary research interests are in biodiversity, biological invasions and phylogenetics, in which he is a world authority on Crustacea. His prior position at the NIWA, Wellington provided extensive opportunity to work with the New Zealand fauna, which remains a major research area. Shane serves as a Subject Editor for the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) and is President of The Society.

http://www.niwa.co.nz/coasts-and-oceans/marine-identification-guides-and-fact-sheets

Remember to check the websites for updated versions!

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/ 2 about this guide | about crabs | morphology index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary

a typical species page layout

taxonomic name of species taxonomic authority person(s) who first described this species species images inset images show variations

common name of species

body plan icon the basic shape of the , characteristic of certain groups

species classification life history icon see species index highlighting for arrangement distribution around New Zealand

scale bar indicating relative size of main image

depth range common depth range quick id icons around New Zealand highlighting shape, surface detail, habitat, and environment

abundance

information distribution details on external section of coastline and internal where species is most characters and commonly found habitat make notes of where you encountered this species and let us know key taxonomic references if you find it at a new it could also be ... location some species are difficult to tell apart without careful identification, so check the species listed here to make sure that you have the correct species

3 about this guide | about crabs | morphology index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary about crabs

The phylum Arthropoda is a large group of animals distinguished from all others by their hard (outer shell) and segmented body (Ahyong & Gordon, 2012). The dominant marine are the , and among these are the , which includes the crabs, , , and . Decapoda literally means ‘ten-footed’, referring to their five pairs of legs. In crabs, the first pair of walking legs has enlarged pincers or claws (chelipeds) and the remaining pairs are used for walking or swimming. Like lobsters and prawns, the main body of a crab is protected by a well-

developed, hard outer shell (carapace). The margins of the carapace may be spiny, with pointed teeth and lobes or completely smooth. The shape and ornamentation of the carapace can be very helpful in identifying crabs.

Unlike lobsters and prawns which have a narrow body and long tail, crabs also have a wide body and very short tail (abdomen), which is usually tucked underneath the body, making crabs wide and compact. The compact arrangement of the carapace and abdomen makes it much more efficient for crabs to walk sideways instead of forwards as in lobsters and prawns.

Many crabs are scavenging omnivores, eating any plant or meat scraps they come across. Some species are particularly aggressive and prey upon other invertebrates, and occasionally the odd human finger may get nipped if it comes too close. Crabs live in many different habitats ranging from the deep sea to high tide level, including sandy shores, mudflats and estuarine areas, rock pools and rocky crevices and some species prefer to hide inside and seaweed. It is the common seashore species that we focus on in this guide.

4 about this guide | about crabs | morphology index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary

The crabs included in this guide belong to two different major groups (infraorders) within the Decapoda, the and Brachyura.

ANOMURA

The Anomura contains 17 families and about 2500 species, including hermits and deep-sea king crabs, squat lobsters and porcelain crabs. Only some of these are crab-like, and in this guide, we include one family, the Porcellanidae – also known as the porcelain crabs, false or half crabs. They have a pair of chelipeds but only three pairs of large walking legs. The last pair of legs, however, is hardly visible, being very small and tucked under the abdomen. Other distinguishing characters are the very long antennae, and flattened chelipeds that are held out flat in front of the body.

BRACHYURA

The infraorder Brachyura contains the true crabs, with more than 100 families and more than 6500 species worldwide (Ng et al., 2008; Ahyong et al. 2011). Fourteen families are included in this guide and are commonly found in and around coasts and harbours of New Zealand.

Bellidae Pilumnidae typically rounded or slightly elongated, though the often called “hairy crabs”. They are small, cryptic one New Zealand species is not of this shape. crabs, mostly with a dense mat of setae (hair-like bristles) or long bristles covering the carapace and/ or legs, distinctive black-or brown tipped chelae. typically these crabs have a very broad, oval carapace and large, ridged chelipeds, sometimes referred to as rock crabs and includes some of the this family are known as crabs, often found best known edible crabs. living inside bivalve molluscs such as mussels. They are almost spherical (like a pea) with long, slender Goneplacidae legs and often poorly calcified (soft). these crabs are highly variable in form and characterised by detailed microscopic details of the reproductive organs, and often, the bow-like shape common exposed shore crabs, similar in appearance of the last segment of the last walking leg. to Grapsid crabs. Similar to with squarish carapace and long, heavy running legs, but usually Grapsidae with deep notches in the front of the carapace. carapace usually squarish in shape, and with long legs for rapid running. A distinctive feature of this intertidal group is the wide frontal gap between the these are the swimming crabs, which characteristically short eye-stalks. have the last pair of legs as swimming paddles. The cheliped (pincer) is usually sharply spined. Most Hymenosomatidae species are efficient swimmers and aggressive sometimes known as false spider crabs due to their predators. Typically oval shape (carapace wider small round, or triangular flat bodies and long than long). spindly legs. Most are very small and have a thin carapace commonly known as fiddler, sentinel or ghost crabs. , and Usually have characteristically long eye-stalks and commonly known as decorator or spider crabs the widest point of the carapace is anterior (just because of their long thin legs and ability to behind the eye-stalks). camouflage. Usually pear-shaped or triangular, tapering towards the eye-stalks. these are shallow water and intertidal crabs similar in many ways to the Grapsidae but differing by often broad, smooth, oval carapace with blunt teeth microscopic details of the mouthparts. on the margins, a strong pair of chelipeds and all legs for walking (no swimming legs). They inhabit shallow rocky environments. 5 about this guide | about crabs | morphology index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary

morphology index

26 27 28 29 Eurynolambrus australis Notomithrax minor Notomithrax peronii Notomithrax ursus

30 31 18 23 Trichoplatus huttoni tuberculata Elamena producta Halimena aoteoroa triangular

11 12 10 15 Petrolisthes elongatus Petrolisthes novaezelandiae Petrocheles spinosus Neommatocarcinus huttoni

40 Liocarcinus corrugatus

19 20 21 22 Halicarcinus cookii Halicarcinus innominatus Halicarcinus varius Halicarcinus whitei

23 24 25 36 round Halimena aoteoroa Hymenosoma depressum Neohymenicus pubescens Nepinnotheres atrinicola

37 Nepinnotheres novaezelandiae

6 about this guide | about crabs | morphology index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary

morphology index

43 39 44 45 catharus japonica armatus

oval 41 32 13 14 Nectocarcinus antarcticus deplanatus (truncatus) Heterozius rotundifrons novaezelandiae

33 34 35 Pilumnopeus serratifroms Pilumnus lumpinus Pilumnus novaezelandiae

42 40 38 49 Nectocarcinus bennetti Liocarcinus corrugatus Guinusia chabrus crenulatus

square 17 16 48 47 Hemigrapsus sexdentatus variegatus lavauxi Austrohelice crassa

46 Hemiplax hirtipes

7 about this guide | about crabs | morphology index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary species index

Family Porcellanidae Petrocheles spinosus 10 Petrolisthes elongatus 11

Anomura Petrolisthes novaezelandiae 12 INFRAORDER

Family Bellidae Heterozius rotundifrons 13

Family Cancridae Metacarcinus novaezelandiae 14

Family Goneplacidae Neommatocarcinus huttoni 15

Family Grapsidae Leptograpsus variegatus 16 Hemigrapsus sexdentatus 17

Family Hymenosomatidae Decapoda Arthropoda CLASS Elamena producta 18 ORDER

PHYLUM Halicarcinus cookii 19 Halicarcinus innominatus 20 Halicarcinus varius 21 Halicarcinus whitei 22

Brachyura Halimena aoteoroa 23 Hymenosoma depressum 24 Neohymeniscus pubescens 25

Family Majidae INFRAORDER Eurynolambrus australis 26 Notomithrax minor 27 Notomithrax peronii 28 Notomithrax ursus 29 Trichoplatus huttoni 30

Family Inachoididae 31

Family Oziidae Ozius deplanatus 32

8 about this guide | about crabs | morphology index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary species index

Family Pilumnidae Pilumnopeus serratifrons 33 Pilumnus lumpinus 34 Pilumnus novaezelandiae 35

Family Pinnotheridae Nepinnotheres atrinicola 36 Nepinnotheres novaezelandiae 37

Family Plagusiidae Guinusia chabrus 38

Family Portunidae Charybdis japonica 39 Liocarcinus corrugatus 40

Brachyura Nectocarcinus antarcticus 41 Decapoda Arthropoda Malacostraca CLASS Nectocarcinus bennetti 42 ORDER

PHYLUM Ovalipes cathurus 43 44

INFRAORDER Scylla serrata 45

Family Macrophthalmidae Hemiplax hirtipes 46

Family Varunidae Austrohelice crassa 47 48 49

9 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Anomura Family Porcellanidae Petrocheles spinosus

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist McLay, New C.(1988)Crabs Zealand.LeighLaboratory of Bulletin22. spiny half-crab Petrolisthes elongatus Petrolisthes novaezelandiae It couldalsobe………. shingle orrock substrate andalsoseaweed (Lessoniasp.) to100m. holdfasts. Intertidal Endemic, widespread, from South(tends to becolder-water). Hauraki Gulf Sub-littoral onmud, carapace. Greyof withbluishtinge. Chelipedfinger tipsreddish. and spines. Chelipedsand walking legscovered setae, tubercles inshort and folded lastpair short against base in covered and flattened large, Chelipeds antennae. long eyestalks, between and Carapace flattened, as wide as long, densly covered in short hairs. Very spiny along margins behind surface substrate Miers, 1876 habitat main image: ColinMcLay insetimage: ChrisWoods 0.3 cm 10 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Anomura Family Porcellanidae Petrolisthes elongatus

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272 (2011)Annotated checklist McLay, New C.(1988)Crabs Zealand.LeighLaboratory of Bulletin22. blue half-crab Petrocheles spinosus Petrolisthes novaezelandiae It couldalsobe………. and extending intoestuaries. Upperlittoral down to justbelow low tide. Tasmania. piles rocky shores, wharf Common beneath boulders, beds, region of intertidal Endemic, widelydistributedaround NZ,includingStewart Islands. Introduced andAuckland to greenish orpinkish,ventral surfaceslighter(white, yellow, blue-green). legs. Variable clawsand legs from blue, colouroncarapace black, and dorsal surface of greyish, walkinglegs setoseand reduced concealed and folded,under abdomen.Only3pairsof partially rear relatively of pair Last serrations. or teeth large without flattened, and large triangular, very Chelipeds prominent. and bluntly front oval-shaped, straight. Carapace margins without teeth.Antennae longer than carapace, whip-like. smooth, Eyes large flattened, elongate, Carapace surface substrate (H. MilneEdwards, 1837) habitat main image: ShaneAhyong insetimage: ChrisWoods 1 cm 11 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Anomura Family Porcellanidae Petrolisthes novaezelandiae

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist McLay, New C.(1988)Crabs Zealand.LeighLaboratory of Bulletin22. red half-crab Petrocheles spinosus Petrolisthes elongatus It couldalsobe………. to 75m. boulders and in seaweed sp.) (Macrocystis holdfasts, among shell debris. (notcommonly) Intertidal Endemic, widelydistributedaround NZ,incudingStewart beneath Islands. Intertidal, and Auckland tiny redspots. concealed under abdomen. Males dull reddish to tan brown, females greyish brown, sometimes with walking outer legssetoseandreduced surface.and folded, Only3pairsof legs.partially Last pairof the on running ridge central a with flattened and large are both but males than females in longer than carapace, hairs on the margins. Chelipeds smaller blunt and with short much rostrum short, Antennae uneven. suface hairs, short fine, in covered long, than wider slightly flattened, Carapace surface substrate Filhol, 1886 habitat main image: ShaneAhyong 1 cm 12 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Belliidae Heterozius rotundifrons Heterozius rotundifrons

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist McLay, New C.(1988)Crabs Zealand.LeighLaboratory of Bulletin22. big-handed crab Pilumnopeus serratifrons Pilumnus sp. Ozius deplanatus It couldalsobe………. boulders onrocky shores, very common,slow moving. Littoral andintertidal. and South Islandsand Chatham Island. Buriesinsand/gravel,Endemic, North understones and brown, legsdark Tips of antennulesandeyestalks lighteryellow. yellow. brigher are fingers and sides carapace mud, with coated often and grey/greenyellowish Dull stout. and short other. legs the Walking than larger significantly is male of claw One pincers. setae, short oftenloaded with silty.of Chelipedswell-developed and rounded except for slender between eyes. carapace and legsarecovered Surfaceof almostcompletelyby acompact mat Carapace oval shaped, flattened and smooth. Front carapace of smooth except for one small notch surface substrate A. Milne-Edwards, 1867 habitat 1 cm images: ShaneAhyong 13 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Cancridae Metacarcinus novaezelandiae

morphology classification Poore, G. C. B. (2004) Marine Decapod Crustacea of Southern Australia: a guide to identification with chapter on Stomatopoda by Shane Ahyong. Melbourne: Ahyong.CSIRO Publishing. Melbourne: Shane by Stomatopoda on chapter with identification to guide a Australia: Southern of Crustacea Decapod Marine (2004) B. Poore,C. G. McLay, New C.(1988)Crabs Zealand.LeighLaboratory of Bulletin22. pie-crust crab Pilumnopeus serratifrons Pilumnus sp. Ozius deplanatus It couldalsobe………. Australia. southeastern large seaweeds. Adultsindeeper water onsandy toatleast40 m. Introduced bottoms. Intertidal to Widely distributedaround NZincludingChathamand Stewart Islands. Understonesandamong brownwith dark spots. Legsorange banded andwithorange dactyls. finger tips.black carapace with Chelipeds margin. carapace on green crabs mottled Young be can with granular surface with four longitudinalridges. brown Dark orredwithdarker rimaround Carapace oval, wider than long. Carapace margins resemble convoluted Large pie-crust. chelipeds surface substrate (Hombron &Jacquinot, 1846) habitat main image: ShaneAhyong, insetimage: Pete Notman 5 cm 14 to 600m Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Goneplacidae Neommatocarcinus huttoni Neommatocarcinus

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist KyushuUniversityAgriculture, (OHMU), 2(8): 157–293. of Laboratory,Faculty Zoological the Papersof Occasional Zealand. New from crabs of collection small A (1969) Miyake,S. & Takeda, M. policeman crab Hemiplax hirtipes It couldalsobe………. andslope. but morecommonlyshelf sponges and other fouling, sediments. Commonbuttendtobedeeper water, sand/mud from 20 m habitats includingrocky reefsamongst seaweeds,variety pilings, of under rocks, wharf among Endemic, Widespreadaround New ZealandincludingStewart andChathamIslands. Occursin legs mostlycreamy white, butcanbered,orange, yellow andpurpleinplaces. YellowishColourful. reddishorange carapace, eyestalks brown blackish neartip. Chelipedsand and elongate, male chelipeds larger than female. Fingers are thin and pointed, walking legs slender. with a strong lateral spine. Eye onextremely longstalks. Chelipedsequal in sizebut very slender lateral margin widerat front than rear) and pointed at each Carapace smooth, very wide(much surface substrate habitat (Filhol, 1886) 20 cm images: Pete Humphries 15 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Grapsidae Leptograpsus variegatus variegatus Leptograpsus

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist shore crabs temperate twosouthern the theRoyalDecapoda, Grapsidae). of Journal New Zealand 3(3):415–440. Societyof of Arevision (1973) D.J.G. Griffin, swift footed shore crab Guinusia chabrus Hemigrapsus sexdentatus It couldalsobe………. clay podsfor shelter. rocks above over thewater Canoftenbeseenrunning surfaceof line. lower (red rock crab). Also found shore and subtidally is Guinusiachabrus in muddy harbours using rocky in cracks, crevicesandtidepools, hidingunderbouldersorseaweed. onthe Itscounterpart Australia, Indo-Pacific, . A large, active crab, common on in upper intertidal exposed SouthIsland). Also Widespread around New Islandand northern Zealand (predominantly North white andpurplewithsomespots. Chelipeds purple with some white patches. transversly Mature animals dark lineated with black. Carapace can be quitevariable incolour. and patchy Juveniles commonlybluishsteelygrey and legspointedandwithsharp,Legs longandcompressed,thirdleglongest. Tipsof spinelike bristles. carapace front. of Chelipeds smooth and swollencorners inmature males (compared with females). wellwith groovesshape defined near in Carapace sides.squarish Eyes along and surface short, on surface substrate (Fabricius, 1793) Fbiis and (Fabricius) Leptograpsus variegatus habitat main image andrightinset:ShaneAhyong, left inset:ChrisWoods (Linnaeus) (Crustacea, (Linnaeus) (Crustacea, chabrus 5 cm 16 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Varunidae Hemigrapsus sexdentatusHemigrapsus

morphology classification Natural History38: 695–704. McClay, C.D. (2004). On thecorrect namefor Hemigrapsus edwardsii C.L. &Schubart, Yaldwyn, J.C. &Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171–272. (2011). Annotatedchecklist purple rock crab Leptograpsus variegatus Hemigrapsus crenulatus It couldalsobe………. Cantolerate slightlyestuarineconditions. Nearhigh-tidelevelintertidal. down to mid-tidelevel. relatively shelteredrocky, stony ormuddy shores, usuallyshelteringunder rocks throughout the Endemic, widespread around New Zealand including Stewart Island and very common. Occurs on Eyestalksthe back. white. Ventral surfaceiswhite. adults. Darker crabs often have banded legs. Typically the carapace is darker than of the front half Highly variable colour with juveniles in purple and cream mottled becoming more solid black-purple males with pale balloon-like sac between base fingers.of Legs with few or no ‘hairs’ along margins. in chelipeds of surface Inner eyestalks.between edged straight carapace of Front side. either on teeth two with squarish flattened, polished, Carapace Previously known. asHemigrapsusedwardsi surface substrate (H. Milne Edwards,(H. Milne 1837) habitat (Hilgendorf, 1882) (Brachyura: Varunidae) from New of Zealand.Journal main image: ShaneAhyong, inset:ChrisWoods 3 cm 17 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Hymenosomatidae Elamena producta Elamena producta

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist Institute Oceanographic Zealand New Memoir 34:1–123. Brachyura). Decapoda, (Crustacea, Hymenosomatidae Family Zealand: New of fauna marine The (1975) J. M. Melrose, paua spider crab Halicarcinus spp. It couldalsobe………. exposure, livingpaua ( ofteninshellsof pools inlowerbottom of mid-littoral,amongst coralline usually turf. Rocky shores withmoderate Endemic, widespread around New Zealand. Under large boulders in course sand or pebbles on white bands, clawpincerswhitetipped. legs. Legs often purpletinged lastpairof with areoftenpresentatbase of Striking whitepatches brown to olive-brown, red-brown, purple, cream or whitewithnodifference between thesexes. eyes, tipped by very small peak.Long, smooth,slenderlegs. Variable carapace colour from blackish- Carapace pentagonal shape, flat and smooth. wideRostrum and blunt in shape, extending between surface Kirk, 1878 Kirk, substrate Haliotis iris ). Intertidal rock pools. ). Intertidal habitat main image: inset:ColinMcLay Kareen Schnabel, 1.5 cm 18 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Hymenosomatidae Halicarcinus cookii

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist Institute Oceanographic Zealand New Memoir 34:1–123. Brachyura). Decapoda, (Crustacea, Hymenosomatidae Family Zealand: New of fauna marine The (1975) J. M. Melrose, pillbox crab Halimena aoteoroa Halicarcinus spp. It couldalsobe………. shallow water. ( Endemic, widely distributed around NZ, including Stewart and Chatham Islands. Amongst seaweeds withorwithoutwhitishmottling. Chelipedsusuallybanded. almost black, teeth onlastsegment.Highlyvaraiable colouraccording to habitat,ranging from limegreento carapace pointsatabouteye-level.level andformingthreeshort Walking legswithrow triangular of side. Rostrum originatingat carapace with toothoneach surface smooth,withoutfelt.Sidesof carapace Upper broad. than wider slightly anteriorly,narrowing octagonal, carapace, Flattened surface sp. and ), mussels and fouling Hormosira banksii),mussels on open and rocky coasts. Intertidal, substrate (Filhol, 1885) habitat main image: ShaneAhyong 1 cm 19 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Hymenosomatidae Halicarcinus innominatus Halicarcinus innominatus

morphology classification Poore, G. C. B. (2004) Marine Decapod Crustacea of Southern Australia: a guide to identification with chapter on Stomatopoda by Shane Ahyong. Melbourne: Ahyong.CSIRO Publishing. Melbourne: Shane by Stomatopoda on chapter with identification to guide a Australia: Southern of Crustacea Decapod Marine (2004) B. Poore,C. G. Institute Oceanographic Zealand New Memoir 34:1–123. Brachyura). Decapoda, (Crustacea, Hymenosomatidae Family Zealand: New of fauna marine The (1975) J. M. Melrose, Halimena aoteoroa Halicarcinus spp. It couldalsobe………. but crypticnature. Lower mid-littoral butalsoinrock poolswithPerna. Veryfouling ships. pilesand keels Alsounderstonesinthe intertidal. organisms of onwharf common PernaAssociated withthegreen-lippedmussel canaliculusonhardsubstrates, amongseaweeds and Widely distributed around NZ, including Stewart, and Chatham Islands. Introduced to Tasmania. chromatophores. orangeflecked withblack, andwhite Legs may bebanded, though notsocommon in mature males. Juveniles have paleyellow carpace last twothan chelipeds, pairs slightly shorter. Varies in colour from brown tints, with green or black tufts of hooked setae. Chelipeds swollen in males compared to females. First two pairs of legs longer the head; no teeth on margins. Short rostrum, not extending past level of eyes, but trilobed with long Flattened, slightly oval carapace, broader than long but angular in appearance, narrowing towards surface substrate Richardson, 1949 Richardson, habitat 1.5 cm images: Richard Taylorimages: Richard 20 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Hymenosomatidae Halicarcinus varius

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist Institute Oceanographic Zealand New Memoir 34:1–123. Brachyura). Decapoda, (Crustacea, Hymenosomatidae Family Zealand: New of fauna marine The (1975) J. M. Melrose, variable pillbox crab high level of silt. Intertidal to30m. silt.Intertidal high level of associated with somebivales (Maoricolpus Halimena aoteoroa Halicarcinus spp. It couldalsobe………. sandy areas. Common subtidally in seaweed (Carpophyllum sheltered areas under , on rocks or under stones, in and flats harbour inseagrassor (Zostera) Endemic, widely distributed around NZ, including Stewart, and Chatham Islands. Littoral zone in unbanded. legs. last Cheliped pair at of base fingersof white tipped with red/orange band. Legs brown and Carapace in large brown, males predominantly dark others pale green. White or yellow blotches walkingalmost twicethecarapace length inmaturemales. Sparse hairsalongmarginsof legs. or weakly trilobed,doesnotextend theeyes, pastlevel of setae. Chelipedshairyand hastuftof Rostrum originatingatcarapace level and forming horizontalplatform withapex eitherdistinctly with small tooth at extreme edges. Upper carapace surface sparsly covered with fine, curved setae. Flattened carapace, pear-shaped and narrowing slightly towards the head, uninterrupted by angles; surface substrate (Dana, 1851) sp. , Dosinula sp. , Tawera sp.).Not found wherethereis sp. , Sargassum habitat sp. , Hormosira sp.) and 1 cm image: ChrisWoods 21 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Hymenosomatidae Halicarcinus whitei

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist Institute Oceanographic Zealand New Memoir 34:1–123. Brachyura). Decapoda, (Crustacea, Hymenosomatidae Family Zealand: New of fauna marine The (1975) J. M. Melrose, White’s false spider crab Halimena aoteoroa Halicarcinus spp. It couldalsobe………. water. burrows).not construct Often found with H.varius (but does (but levels tide all at mud in less buried Found euryaline conditions. never withstand can sand; size fine than particle where estuaries in and beaches open sheltered, on sand in flats, harbour Endemic, widely distributed around NZ, including Stewart Island.Among seagrass (Zostera common. May have bandsonwalking dark legs. walking of legsand claws iswhiteand a redbasal band on chelipeds posterior margin.Bottomhalf legs and another on the lastpair of at base of or May smallwhitepatches black. have a pair of white with speckled finely sometimes brown, or yellow,grey green, Carapace males. in large extending past eyes withtrilobedtip. Chelipedshairyand more than twice the carapace length carapace setose inmales. Rostrum originatingat carapace level and forming horizontal platform, carapace Upper broad. surface covered than with fine,felt of hairs short hairs allowing it to longer blend into the background. Sides of slightly anteriorly, narrowing suboval, carapace Flattened surface substrate (Miers, 1876) is not in seaweed). Intertidal, shallow isnotinseaweed).H. whitei Intertidal, habitat sp.) on 0.5 cm image: ShaneAhyong 22 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Hymenosomatidae

classification Halimena aoteoroa McLay, New LeighMarine Laboratory. C.(1988)Crabs Zealand. LeighLaboratory Auckland, of Bulletin 22.University of Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga ZealandDecapoda (Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22: 171-272. (2011) Annotated checklist Institute Oceanographic Zealand New Memoir 34:1–123. Brachyura). Decapoda, (Crustacea, Hymenosomatidae Family Zealand: New of fauna marine The (1975) J. M. Melrose, morphology Elamena producta Halicarcinus spp. It couldalsobe………. Caulerpa sp. and seaweedEndemic, widelydistributedaroundplumosum, among (Carpophyllum NZ.Holdfastsof stripeacross dactylwhite. Dark theregionwhererostrum meetswithcarapace.of shortest. pair fourth longest, legs of Ventral pair legswithrow hairs and tips witha small blunttooth.Reddish-brown, edge curved of of ends First slender. but width, carapace than longer slightly steeply downwardcurving anteriorly. Distinct groove between rostrum and carapace. Chelipeds tongue-shaped, Rostrum anteriorly.narrowing but broad than longer suboval, carapace Flattened surface Cystophora torulosa).Sub-littoral, shallow water. substrate Melrose, 1975 habitat 0.3 cm image: ColinMcLay 23 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Hymenosomatidae Hymenosoma depressum

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist Institute Oceanographic Zealand New Memoir 34:1–123. Brachyura). Decapoda, (Crustacea, Hymenosomatidae Family Zealand: New of fauna marine The (1975) J. M. Melrose, false spider crab Halicarcinus spp. It couldalsobe………. on sandy andshallow orsiltybottomsbutrarely seen.Intertidal water to 10m. Endemic, widespread around New Islands. Under stones, Zealand, including Auckland among algae brown furryappearance. giving sediment, fine in covered usually animals yellow.Live antennae black, and yellow banded spots visiblewhenviewed underamicroscope Eyestalks (chromatophores). paleyellow, antennules that trap largetan brown amounts sediment.Dull overall,with tiny andyellow scatteredblack stalks closetogether and directed straight forward. All legsvery longand fringed setae with short pasteyes.Rostrum carapace arisingatedge level, of small andbluntlypointed,notreaching Eye Flattenened, almost circular carapace, slightly longer than wide and scattered with fine, setae. short surface substrate Hombron &Jacquinot, 1846 habitat 0.5 cm image: ShaneAhyong 24 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Hymenosomatidae Neohymenicus pubescens

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist Institute Oceanographic Zealand New Memoir 34:1–123. Brachyura). Decapoda, (Crustacea, Hymenosomatidae Family Zealand: New of fauna marine The (1975) J. M. Melrose, Hymenosoma depressum Halicarcinus sp. It couldalsobe………. ansshallowunder rocks. Intertidal water to10m. rocky reefs, seaweed (Carpophyllum Endemic, widelydistributedaround NZ includingStewart Island.Shelteredand moderately exposed blunt toothonventral edge. Grey-brown, yellow-brown. as long as legs of pairs fourth pair shorter. with edgeschelipeds, legscurved fringed hairsand a single with short Tipsof three First sexes. both in short Chelipeds eyes. past projecting pointed, bluntly and simple level, carapace at originating Rostrum sediment. with laden usually setae, fine with covered densely body Whole thin. very rim long, as wide subcircular,as carapace Flattened surface substrate sp.) holdfasts, coralline turf, rock crevices. Commonintertidally (Dana, 1851) habitat 0.4 cm image: ChrisWoods 25 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Majidae Eurynolambrus australis australis Eurynolambrus

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist 35: 1–111. Memoir, Institute Oceanographic Zealand New Brachyura). (Crustacea, Majidae family crabs, spider Zealand: New of fauna marine The (1966) D. Griffin, J. G. triangle crab Juveniles of Metacarcinus novaezealandiae Juveniles of It couldalsobe………. with bryozoans. to80m. Intertidal and in large, low tidalpools. Alsofound offshore (innershelf),frequentlyassociated found on rocky, muddy shores, moderately exposed coasts, occasionally under boulders covered by Endemic, widespread around New Zealand including Stewart and Chatham Islands. Alittoral species beneath. Legsoftenmottledwithwhite, orange red. anddark mottled withwhitetogrey-brown. Antennulespaleyellow, eyestalks oftendeepredabove andpale irregularly red-orange and dark from ranging Carapace white. surfaces fingers, inner purple with Chelipeds crested. irregularly and flattened Walkinglegs pitted. and roughcoarse, surface long, Carapace triangular and broad, expanding laterally thelegs. tocover Chelipeds thebases of surface substrate Rocky Shore H. MilneEdwards andLucus, 1841 habitat main image: ShaneAhyong, insetimage: Pete Notman 1.5 cm 26 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Majidae Notomithrax minor Notomithrax

morphology classification Poore, G. C. B. (2004) Marine Decapod Crustacea of Southern Australia: a guide to identification with chapter on Stomatopoda by Shane Ahyong. Melbourne: Ahyong.CSIRO Publishing. Melbourne: Shane by Stomatopoda on chapter with identification to guide a Australia: Southern of Crustacea Decapod Marine (2004) B. Poore,C. G. 35: 1–111. Memoir, Institute Oceanographic Zealand New Brachyura). (Crustacea, Majidae family crabs, spider Zealand: New of fauna marine The (1966) D. Griffin, J. G. camouflage crab Leptomithrax longimanus Notomithrax peronii Notomithrax longimanus Notomithrax ursus It couldalsobe………. to35m(rarelyor courseshellbottomsandrocky shores. deeper),commoninharbours. Intertidal Distributed allround NZ, including Stewart Island.Alsofound Australia. Sand, mud in southeastern white. yellowish body redorpurple, and appendages, walking clawsdark tipsof upper surface of legs sponges or algae,with attached and debris mud giving ‘muddy’ appearance. accumulated Pale longest (getting the progressively covered Carapace thickly by shorter). hooked, being short, brownish bristles, pair first with slender legs Walkingmales. large in long Chelipeds spines. posterior no spines between eyes formingV-shape. outwardly Carapace margin with12 short, directed spines, Carapace triangular/pear-shaped and covered bluntspines/tubercles, inshort, tworostral short surface substrate (Filhol, 1885) habitat 1 cm images: SerenaWilkens 27 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Majidae Notomithrax peronii peronii Notomithrax

morphology classification McLay, New C.(1988)Crabs Zealand. LeighLaboratory of Bulletin 22. 35: 1–111. Memoir, Institute Oceanographic Zealand New Brachyura). (Crustacea, Majidae family crabs, spider Zealand: New of fauna marine The (1966) D. Griffin, J. G. Peron’s decorator crab Leptomithrax longimanus Notomithrax minor Notomithrax ursus It couldalsobe………. offshore. amongst seaweed intertidally, upto50 m butmostcommon Intertidal sometimesonsand or mud. Endemic, widelydistributedinNZ,includingStewart and Chatham Islands. Rocky shores, rock pools, deep red,hairsbrownish. fingers white. Tipsof Chelipedsgreenishbrown. coveredCarapace usually thickly by carapace seaweed. orange Dorsalsurface of pieces of to progressively shorter. carapace and rostral Dorsalsurface of spinescovered by long, stoutsetae. others longest, leg First bristles.hooked of groups with surface dorsal spines; Walking lacking legs short, 10 with margin Carapace V-shape. outwardly large forming directedspinesandtwoposteriorspines. maleslongandslender. Chelipedsof short spines rostral long moderately two bristles; Carapace triangular/pear-shaped and densely covered hooked in spines and tubercles and short, surface (H. MilneEdwards, 1834) substrate habitat 2.5 cm images: ShaneAhyong 28 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Majidae Notomithrax ursus ursus Notomithrax

morphology classification McLay, New C.(1988)Crabs Zealand. LeighLaboratory of Bulletin 22. 35: 1-111. Memoir, Institute Oceanographic Zealand New Brachyura). (Crustacea, Majidae family crabs, spider Zealand: New of fauna marine The (1966) D. Griffin, J. G. hairy seaweed crab Leptomithrax longimanus Notomithrax minor Notomithrax peronii It couldalsobe………. phototactic somay beburiedinsandy/course substrates. Australia. Rocky shores, rock pools, amongst seaweed and offshore up to 75 m. Negatively intertidally Widely distributedinNZ,includingStewart andChatham Islands. Alsoknown from southeastern Chelipeds orange to dark red, tips of fingers white. Carapace and walking legs with brownish hairs. with long, dense setae. Carapace covered by clean seaweed tufts (furry/shaggy appearance). and rostral spines coveredCarapace by stout,hooked rostral short, shorter.bristles, plus margins of spines and carapace progressively getting longest, legs First bristles. straight long and bristles hooked short rowof longitidinal in covered surface dorsal slender; and long Walking spines. legs rostral spinesformingV-shape. outwardly Carapace margin with9short, directedspines, noposterior Carapace triangular/pear-shaped and covered in smalland large tubercles (not spines), two short surface (Herbst, 1788) substrate habitat 2 cm images: ShaneAhyong 29 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Majidae Trichoplatus huttoni

morphology classification Woods, C.M.C.(1995) Maskinginthespider crab 35: 1-111 Memoir Institute Oceanographic Zealand New Brachyura). (Crustacea, Majidae family crabs, spider Zealand: New of fauna marine The (1966) G. D. J. Griffin, Hutton’s masking crab Notomithrax sp. It couldalsobe………. Low tidetosubtidal. mainland Napier andCavalli limits Islands. Exposedrocky coastsandamongseaweed.Northern Endemic toNew distributionincludingStewart Zealand,mainlysouthern andChathamIslands. last segmentfolding against previous segmentChelipedsdullorange todeepredorpalepurple. caparapce edge along behind the spines eyes. directled Chelipeds outwardly long. and End of walking spines legs rostral very prominent flattened and Two velvet. wide,fine with short, very of mat setaearisefrom thetubercles, carapacestraight, stiff covered ofteninpinkclusters. Surfaceof in Carapace pear shapedwithseveral prominent tubercles(spines)scatteredover surface. Very surface substrate A. MilneEdwards, 1876 Trichoplatus huttoni(Brachyura: Majidae).New Zealand NaturalTrichoplatus Sciences22:75-80. habitat 5 cm images: ShaneAhyong 30 to 650m Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Inachoididae Pyromaia tuberculata tuberculata Pyromaia

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist P.F., Clark, B.S., Carlton, Galil, In Australia.J.T. and (Eds),IntheWrongZealand Distribution, Biology Place:Alien MarineCrustaceans: andImpacts. InvadingNew Nature–Springer SeriesinInvasion Ecology 6,451-485pp. of crustaceans marine Non-indigenous Antipodes: the in Aliens (2011) S.L.S.T., Ahyong,Wilkens, fire crab Notomithrax sp. juveniles Notomithrax sp. It couldalsobe………. NZ, Australia andJapan; America. native North towest coastof fouling, sediments. Usuallyinshallow sand/mud water but may occur down to650 m. Introduced to habitats of variety in Occurs including rocky reefsamongst seaweeds, pilings, under rocks, wharf among sponges and other Plymouth. New Opua, Whangarei, Manakau, Kaipara, Auckland, dull olive brown-green. and bumps. Legs long, slender and spindly, first pair is the longest and last pair the shortest. Overall projectingSingle rostrum beyond eyes intoasingleblunttip. Carapace covered withsmalltubercles Carapace pear-shaped and may be covered hairs(juveniles) ornakedwith short and glossy (adults). surface substrate (Lockington, 1877) (Lockington, habitat 1.5 cm images: ShaneAhyong 31 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Oziidae Ozius deplanatus Ozius deplanatus

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist McLay, New C.(1988)Crabs Zealand. LeighLaboratory of Bulletin 22. Bennett, E.W. New Brachyura. New Zealand: Crustacea Zealand Oceanographic (1964). Themarinefaunaof InstituteMemoir22:1–120. iron crab Pilumnopeus serratifrons Heterozius rotundifrons It couldalsobe………. Southern and Westernlow tide. Found ongravel, andstony rocky Intertidal. beaches. also Zealand; New of Island Australia. Beneath boulders on sheletedshoresfrom upper mid-littoral tolow tide, exposed during North around common and Widespread brown.dark-red antennules golden, often legs brown. on Setae dark or powerful,Chelipeds fingers black tan. pale red-brown torusty above, chocolate species). Dark oftenwithpalemottling. Undersidecream to fringed legs with fine setae. Previously known inwalking Newfingers, Zealand as black with chelipeds powerful Smooth, lobes. rough blunt, with carapace of edges and wide quite region Frontal shape. in oval almost long, than wider flattened, Carapace surface substrate (White, 1847) habitat (an endemic Australian 2 cm images: ShaneAhyong 32 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Pilumnidae Pilumnopeus serratifrons Pilumnopeus serratifrons

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist species andnew genera. TheQueensland Museum27:129-156. Memoirsof of re-appraisal P.J.F.Davie,A (1989) smooth-handed crab sheltered sandy rarely andmuddy inburrows. beaches, Intertidal. Australia. Under stones on and southeastern NZ (Coromandel, and north) Auckland Northeastern finger brown. tipsdark Colouroftenobscured muddyby alayer sediment. of Walking and often setose. Carapace and walking thanchelipds legsshorter legsbrown. Chelipeds smooth, well developed but unequal (right usually larger than left). Finger tips browndark to black. eyes) bilobed and rounded; margins to the side eyesof cut (betweeninto lowcarapace triangular teeth. Chelipeds of very Front ridges. setose with covered sparsly long, than wider oval, Carapace surface Heteropanope Stimpson,and Pilumnopeus AMilne-Edwards new Decapoda: Pilumnidae) withdescriptions of (Crustacea: substrate (Kinahan, 1856) habitat 1.5 cm image: ShaneAhyong 33 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Pilumnidae Pilumnus lumpinus

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171–272. (2011)Annotated checklist Bennett, E.W. New Brachyura. New Zealand: Crustacea Zealand Oceanographic (1964). Themarinefaunaof InstituteMemoir, 22:1–120. hairy crab Pilumnus novaezelandiae It couldalsobe………. serpulid worms, sponges anddeepcrevices amongbroken rock. Low intertidal. South Island).Common on rocky shores, under boulders, inseaweed holdfasts and among clusters of Widely distributed around Island and northern NZ including Chatham Islands (more commonly North Cheliped withwhitepalms;fingers brown. dark underneath. brown dorsally, Muddy-light off-white palms. and tips fingers exceptfor tomentum, in tomentum givingtightwoolly appearance. upper surface densely covered Unequalsizedchelipeds, Carapace flattened and wider than long, entire upper surface and legs densely covered with short, surface Bennett, 1964 substrate habitat 1 cm image: ShaneAhyong 34 to 130m Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Pilumnidae Pilumnus novaezelandiae

morphology classification of the7thand8th SymposiaonCollection Buildingand Natural HistoryStudies in AsiaandthePacificof Rim34:191-237. Takeda,Webber,& M. W. Pacific.South Crabs(2006) the R. in from Islands Kermadec the In Y. Tomida, T. Kubodera, AkiyamaS. & KityamaT. (Eds.), Proceedings Bennett, E.W. New Brachyura. New Zealand: Crustacea Zealand Oceanographic (1964).Themarinefaunaof InstituteMemoir22:1–120. bristle crab Pilumnus lumpinus It couldalsobe………. to130m(morecommonatshallowerintertidal depths). boulders and in rock crevicesfouled withalgae, sponge and bryozoa, oftengregarious. Low Under Islands. Kermadec and Chatham Stewart, including NZ around distributed widely Endemic, Muddy-brown, Chelipedsfinger paleunderneath. tipsblack, extreme tipswhite. (right usually larger), bristlyinappearance tubercles. with covering Unequal sized chelipeds of (denser towardscovered bristles withlongandshort anterior)givingragged/bristly appearance. Carapace oval-shaped and wider than long, spines, anterior margin with short upper surface sparsely surface substrate Filhol, 1885 habitat 1 cm images: ColinMcLay 35 to 200m Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Pinnotheridae Nepinnotheres atrinicola Nepinnotheres atrinicola

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist 10: 151–162. Page, P. ,and redescription of anew speciesof R.M.(1983). Description of novaezelandiae Zoology (Brachyura:Pinnotheridae). New of Zealand Journal horse mussel pea crab Nepinnotheres novaezelandiae It couldalsobe………. down opencoasts. Atrinazelandica.Intertidal to200m,inestuariesand off the horsemussel, Endemic, widespread around New Zealand. Commensal (McClay 1988 defines them as parasitic) in female unpigmented. by grey Leg margins orange patches. withmedialgrey areas or banded orange and grey. Mature bands. Anorange down thecarapace. stripusuallyruns Chelipedsorange, thecenterof interrupted carapace pale orange, grey of central orcream seperated regionshave by splotches orange length legsfrom lefttoright, especiallysecondwalking leg. male Colourvariable –marginsof asymmetrical have Females pointed. and hooked tips finger Cheliped above.from seen easily not Carapace almost spherical – pea-like, very smooth.Eyes, antennulesand antennae very reduced, surface substrate (Page, 1983) habitat main image: ShaneAhyong, insetimage: SerenaWilkens 1 cm 36 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Pinnotheridae Nepinnotheres novaezelandiae

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist 10: 151–162. Page, P. Pinnotheres,and redescription of anew speciesof R.M.(1983). Description of novaezelandiae Zoology (Brachyura: Pinnotheridae). New of Zealand Journal pea crab Nepinnotheres atrinicola It couldalsobe………. Pernacommensal (‘parasitic’) inthemussels canaliculusand Endemic, widespread around New Zealand including Stewart and Chatham Islands. Typically white allover. background. Chelipedsyellowish-brown, legsbrown withdarker areas. Maturefemalescreamy- brown, withwhitespots and cream areas. Posterior with whitespotsona mauve and yellow half carapace orange-symmetrically sized legs from of left to right. Colourvariable – anterior half have females Mature pointed. and hooked tips finger Chelipeds above. from seen easily not and Carapace almost spherical–pea-like, very smooth.Eyes, antennules and antennae very reduced Intertidal andsubtidaldownIntertidal to30m.Estuariesandopencoastline. . stutchburyi other bivalves, Aulacomya atra Crassostreagigas, pipiPaphies Chione australisand the cockle surface substrate (Filhol, 1885) Mytilus galloprovincialis habitat but also found in 0.7 cm images: ShaneAhyong 37 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Plagusiidae Guinusia chabrus Guinusia chabrus

morphology classification National Museum of New Zealand RecordsNational Museum of 3(4): 37–45. Dawson, E.W. (1987) A key P. withanew Brachyura) record of Plagusia(Crustacea: totheworld speciesof from Lamarck New depressatuberculata Zealand. shore crabs temperate twosouthern the theRoyalDecapoda, Grapsidae). of Journal New Zealand 3(3):415–440. Societyof of Arevision (1973) D.J.G. Griffin, red rock crab Leptograpsus variegatus It couldalsobe………. inrock poolsatlowNocturnal tide, thewater. rarely outof Low tideto25m. Indo-Pacific, reefs, and cryptic. along coasts Subtidal Chile. exposed Africa, rocky Australia, South Widely distributedaround SouthIsland)andChathamIslands. Also NZ(notascommoninsouthern Very body clawsandtuberclescreamy-white. fastmoving. Undersideof andinnerfaceof segment. first on margins anterior serrated with legs walking Strong tubercles. of rows in covered ridges red. Chelipeds moderately long and enlargedon dorsal surfaces darker brick in mature males, naked velvet; furry red-brown with covered legs and chelipeds Carapace, notches. deep with eyes between Front sides. on spines well-defined 4 with squarish long, as wide as Carapace surface (Linnaeus, 1758) substrate Fbiis and Leptograpsus (Fabricius)variegatus habitat (Linnaeus) (Crustacea, (Linnaeus) (Crustacea, Plagusia chabrus main image: ShaneAhyong, insetimage: SerenaWilkens 5 cm 38 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Portunidae Charybdis japonica Charybdis

morphology classification 353. Gust, N., Inglis, G.J. an invasive (2006) Adaptive sampling to determine multi-scale crab’s habitat useage and range in New Zealand. Biological Invasions 8: 339- P.F., Clark, B.S., Carlton, Galil, In Australia.J.T. and (Eds),IntheWrongZealand Distribution, Biology Place:Alien Marine Crustaceans: andImpacts. InvadingNew Nature–Springer SeriesinInvasion Ecology 6,451-485pp. of crustaceans marine Non-indigenous Antipodes: the in Aliens (2011) S.L.S.T., Ahyong,Wilkens, Asian paddle crab Portunus armatus serrata Scylla Nectocarcinus bennetti It couldalsobe………. 15 m. Native toEast Asia. Shelteredmuddy orsandy-mud habitats, espciallybays. toat least Intertidal Invasive in New Zealand. Currently occurs in the Auckland region from Firth of Thames to Whangarei. banded fingers. various mottlingfrom orangish-brown purple.orangish-brownChelipeds with todark palmsand with green olive dull Overall aggressive. setae. Very with fringed paddle, rounded into flattened legs of pair Last unspined. and flattened legs Walking teeth. triangular eight with eyesbetween Carapace wider thanlong, surface smooth, sideswithsixteethbehind eyes. Carapace margin surface (A. Milne-Edwards, 1861) substrate habitat main image: ShaneAhyong 5 cm 39 to 130m Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Portunidae Liocarcinus corrugatus Liocarcinus corrugatus

morphology classification Naylor (Eds.), Aguide tocommondeepsea invertebrates in New Zealand waters, ThirdEdition, pp. 159–222.Wellington: Fisheries. NZMinistry of Tracey,Webber,M. D.& In K., Arthropoda. Naylor,J.PhylumO.F.R. W. Schnabel, & A.-N., (2012) J. R., Anderson Loerz, R. L., Ahyong,T.,N. J.,S.Bruce, Booth, Bennett, E.W. New Brachyura. New Zealand:Crustacea ZealandOceanographic (1964)Themarinefaunaof InstituteMemoir 22:1–120. dwarf swimming crab Nectocarcinus bennettae Nectocarcinus antarcticus Ovalipes catharus It couldalsobe………. 130 m. to Low tide pools. rock intertidal in and flats sandytidal the on weed amongst occurs Also bottom. Also sub-tidal Indo-West sand-shell Mediterranean, Sandy and Pacific,Atlantic, Japan. Australia, Kermadecs. North and Island Chatham and Stewart including Zealand, New around Widespread red band. andwalking chelipeds legdactylswitha white stripedown thecarapace. Baseof themiddleof sharp in ending point. Variable ranging from paddle colourpatterns purewhite tomottledgrey and white, leaf-shaped oftenwitha with legs walking of pair Last unspined. and flattened legs Walking short. Chelipeds wavy, ridges. eyes transverse fine between with Front eyes.surface Carapace behind lobes. low sides three on forming teeth sharp 5 with long than wider Carapace surface (Pennant, 1777) substrate habitat main image: Reyn Naylor, insetimage: SerenaWilkens 1 cm 40 to 550m Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Portunidae Nectocarcinus antarcticus

morphology classification Naylor (Eds.), A guideto common deepsea invertebrates inNew Zealand waters, ThirdEdition, pp. 159–222.Wellington: Fisheries. NZMinistry of Tracey,Webber,M. D.& In K., Arthropoda. Naylor,J.PhylumO.F.R. W. Schnabel, & A.-N., (2012) J. R., Anderson Loerz, R. L., Ahyong,T.,N. J.,S.Bruce, Booth, Edwards. Transactions theRoyal of New Zealand,12(7):49–68. Societyof the of review a and subantarctic Zealand New the from crab new swimming Griffin, D. & A J. K., G., (1970). R. Yaldwyn, C. Dell, J. hairy red swimming crab Liocarcinus corrugatus Ovalipes catharus Nectocarcinus bennetti It couldalsobe………. Sand, gravel, sublittoral down andshellbottoms. Intertidal, mud to550m. Endemic, widespread round New Zealand including Stewart, and sub-antarctic Islands. Auckland ridges red. andspines. clawsdark Fingers of iridescence (unlike on pinkish-red background, notrace Nectocarcinus of bennetti).Somewhitemarks paddle, fringed with setae. red/maroon Carapace, and legs withmottleddark over a chelipeds oval-shaped into flattened legs of pair Last unspined. and flattened Walkinglegs teeth. four with appearance. Carapace margin with four low triangular teeth behind eyes. Margin between eyes Carapace wider than long, surface roughened, with areas of very short, fine ‘hairs’ giving velvet-like surface (Hombron &Jacquinot, 1846) substrate habitat main image: ShaneAhyong insetimage: Pete Notman Nectocarcinus A.Milne 4 cm 41 to 480m Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Portunidae Nectocarcinus bennetti

morphology classification Naylor (Eds.), A guideto common deepsea invertebrates inNew Zealand waters, ThirdEdition, pp. 159–222.Wellington: Fisheries. NZMinistry of Tracey,Webber,M. D.& In K., Arthropoda. Naylor,J.PhylumO.F.R. W. Schnabel, & A.-N., (2012) J. R., Anderson Loerz, R. L., Ahyong,T.,N. J.,S.Bruce, Booth, Edwards. Transactions theRoyal of New Zealand,12(7):49–68. Societyof genus the of review a and subantarctic Zealand New the from crab new swimming Griffin, D. & A J. K., G., (1970). R. Yaldwyn, C. Dell, J. smooth red swimming crab Liocarcinus corrugatus Ovalipes catharus Nectocarcinus antarcticus It couldalsobe………. shell bottoms. 20to480m. Stewart SouthIsland, Islands.Endemic, southern Sand,gravel, and Island,SnaresandAuckland mud carapace. Walkinganterior of legspaleoff-white/cream. pinkiridescence,red withareasof butcanbevariable incolour. iridescenceacross Main areasof legs flattened into oval-shapedof paddle, fringed with setae. Carapace,chelipeds mainly purplish pair Last unspined. eyes.Walking and eyesbetweenbehind flattened teeth. four Margin legs with carapace, of front surface with iridescent sheen. Carapace half margin with four low triangular teeth Carapace wider thanlongandnaked (nohairs),withrounded granules formingdistinctridges on surface substrate (Takeda and Miyake, 1969) habitat Nectocarcinus A.Milne 2 cm image: Reyn Naylor 42 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Portunidae Ovalipes catharus

morphology classification McLay, New C.(1988)Crabs Zealand. LeighLaboratory of Bulletin 22. 213–261. Stephenson, W., &Rees, the genus Ovalipes M.(1968) A revision of paddle crab Charybdis japonica Charybdis Nectocarcinus bennetti It couldalsobe………. m. zoneonsheltered andopencoasts;sandorsandy-mud. Intertidal-100 Surf Australia. southern aroundStewartalso Widespread including NewIslands; Zealand Chatham and reddish-maroon eye-spots.with pairof Swimmingpaddleswithpurplishtint.Undersidewhite. gray carapce background withorange-red Upper rear surface of highlights, especiallyonchelipeds. Last pair of legs flattened into rounded paddle, fringed with setae. Very aggressive. Overall sandy- behind eyes. Carapace margin between eyes with four teeth. Walking legs flattened and unspined. grainy,evenly slightly surface teeth five shaped, ovalwith long, sides than wider slighty Carapace surface (White, 1843) substrate Rathbun, Decapoda, Portunidae). 1898 (Crustacea, Records the Australian Museum 27: of habitat 6 cm image: ShaneAhyong 43 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Portunidae Portunus armatus armatus Portunus

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga ZealandDecapoda (Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist four species.recognition of Raffles Zoology, Bulletinof 58(2):199–237. Y.,J.C. Lai, P. Ng, Davie, P.& L. K. the J.of F. revision A (2010) Australian blue swimmer crab Scylla serrata Scylla japonica Charybdis It couldalsobe………. bottoms, juveniles found withseagrass. Intertidal-shallow subtidalareas. sandyor muddy Prefers NewCaledonia. and Australia mainland, NewZealand Northern in Found mottled olive greenwithirregularwhitelines. Legsbluetolilacwithmottling. to blue/purple dark uniform almost Carapace setae. with fringed paddle, legs rounded into of flattened pair Last tips. pointed with all flattened, slightly slender, legs walking of pairs three First between eyes spines along frontal with spines and ridges. has short margin. Long, slender chelipeds eyes,behind teeth sharp carapacenine has larger. predominantly being first the Carapace margin Carapace wider than long, withlongspineon eitherside, surface granulated and coarse, sideof surface (A. Milne-Edwards, 1861) substrate Portunus pelagicus(Linnaeus, 1758) species complex Brachyura:Portunidae), (Crustacea: withthe habitat 10 cm image: ShaneAhyong 44 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Portunidae Scylla serrata Scylla serrata

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist Zoology 46,217-245. genus the of revision C.P.,A P.J.F.Keenan,Davie, (1998) D.L. Mann, & mangrove crab Charybdis japonica Charybdis Ovalipes catharus Nectocarcinus bennetti It couldalsobe………. estuaries, espciallyinmangrove areas. Intertidal-shallow subtidal. and bays of Indo-Westmud tropical Pacific.the Burrows in throught Occurs Northland. in Estuaries green tovery purplish.Chelipedswithbrown dark fingertips. Very aggressive. fringed with setae. Swimmingpaddles with reticulated patterning. Variable but often olive/dark paddle, rounded into flattened legs of pair powerful Last unspined. smooth, and Large,flattened Walkinglegs spines. chelipeds. 9 with eyes behind margin teeth; six with eyes between margin Carapace wider thanlong, surfacevery smooth,sideswithninesharpteethbehindeyes. Carapace surface (Forskål, 1775) substrate de Haan, 1833 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae). Raffles Bulletin of of Bulletin Raffles Portunidae). Brachyura: Decapoda: (Crustacea: 1833 Haan, de Scylla habitat 11 cm image: ShaneAhyong 45 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Macrophthalmidae Hemiplax hirtipes Hemiplax hirtipes

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist McLay, New C.(1988)Crabs Zealand.LeighLaboratory of Bulletin22. sentinel crab Neommatocarcinus huttoni Neommatocarcinus Austrohelice crassa It couldalsobe………. diagonalburrows.dig short, in burrowing estuaries, lagoons, harbours, of flats waterlogged sand sediments. Smallcrabs live under shell debris orbury in surface sediments. Large crabs and mud in level low-tide to mid- from Endemic, widelydistributedaround NZ,includingStewart, and Campbell Islands. Common Auckland and clawsoftendeepredororange dorsally, whiteventrally. brightly colouredinlarger specimens.Eye brown stalkswhitewithdark legs yellow-green patches, Carapace pair. first to length in similar pair greentoorange-browndark withscattered dense,last brown dark spots, brown. margindark Canbe and longer much third and second claws, than longer slightly legs of pair First . curved. inwardly slender, downward pointing, fingers and setae Front carapace of almost straight and steep at front. Chelipeds small, lightly built, fringed with long barrel-shaped. Carapace margins with two narrow behind the eyes. notches Eyes onlongstalks. Formally hirtipes. Oblong, wide carapace wider (much than long), body somewhat surface (Heller, 1862) substrate habitat main image: ShaneAhyong, insetimage: SerenaWilkens 1.5 cm 46 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Varunidae Austrohelice crassa

morphology classification Naturforschenden Gesellschaft, 565: 1–76. Gesellschaft, Naturforschenden Sakai, K., Türkay, M. & Yang, S.-L. (2006) Revision of the McLay, New C.(1988)Crabs Zealand.LeighLaboratory of Bulletin22. burrowing mud crab Hemiplax hirtipes It couldalsobe………. freshwater/ and areas.brackish Burrows well drained infirm, sedimentthatis exposed atlowmudflats tide. Intertidal. creeks, tidal swamps, mangrove and estuaries lagoons, harbours, and beaches sheltered on Found Island. Stewart including Zealand New around widespread Endemic, pale green.Ventral surfacepalecream-brown. yellow margins, green.Antennaebrown, butpredominantlydark antennuleslightpurple, eyestalks Carapace grey, olive-green, blue-green to brown, margins yellow. Chelipedsand walking legslight and rounded. Large eyes onlongstalks, atcarapacebilobed front Slightly corners. between eyes. Chelipedslarge Carapace smoothandflattened,oblong/squareinoutline;body somewhat thick, barrel-shaped. surface substrate (Dana, 1851) complex. (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura). Abhandlungen der Senckenbergischen complex. Decapoda: Brachyura). AbhandlungenHelice/ (Crustacea: derSenckenbergischen habitat 1 cm image: ShaneAhyong 47 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Varunidae Cyclograpsus lavauxi

morphology classification Campbell, B. M. & Griffin, D. J. G. (1966) The Australian Sesarminae (Crustacea: Brachyura): genera Brachyura): (Crustacea: Sesarminae Australian The (1966) G. J. D. Griffin, & M. B. Campbell, McLay, New C.(1988)Crabs Zealand. LeighLaboratory of Bulletin 22. theQueenslandMuseum 14(5):127–174. Memoirs of smooth shore crab Hemigrapsus sexdentatus It couldalsobe………. crabs inNZ.Commonatoraboutthehigh-tidelevel. estuarine mudflats, occasionally in burrows tunnelled the more ‘terrestrial’ by other species. One of ranging from openwave-exposedbeaches coaststoshelteredharbours.may Also befound in Endemic, widespread around area,understones, New onboulder Zealand.Prefersupperintertidal mottling dorsally. Ventral surfacespale. may beslateblue,background which bluish grey, fawntoyellowish brown.irregular Legswithsimilar and third legs. reddish-brown Carapace variable indark incolourbutoftenspeckled on avariable second betweenfirst, of projectingfrombases setae of tufts small with smooth, and relativelylong of Front carapace. of corners carapace betweenat eyes straight-edged. ChelipedslargerEyes inmalescompared with females. Legs smooth. very long, than wider slightly oblong, Carapace surface substrate H. MilneEdwards, 1853 habitat , Helograpsus nov., main image: ShaneAhyong, insetimage: ChrisWoods Cyclograpsus and Paragrapsus. 1.5 cm 48 Class Malacostraca Order Decapoda Infraorder Brachyura Family Varunidae Hemigrapsus crenulatus ( crenulatus Hemigrapsus

morphology classification Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. New Tuhinga Zealand Decapoda(Arthropoda: Crustacea). of 22:171-272. (2011)Annotated checklist McLay, New C.(1988)Crabs Zealand.LeighLaboratory of Bulletin22. hairy-handed crab Cyclograpsus lavauxi Hemigrapsus sexdentatus It couldalsobe………. tide level down to10m. estuarine environments. Ofteninsimilarhabitats as habitats includingunderstones, orclay,variety buriedinsand, mud of inshelteredmarineand Widespread around New Zealand, including Stewart Chile. Occurs in wide Island. Alsosouthern brown/purple, dark chelipeds fingers brown whitewithdark tipsandfringed finesetae. withshort reddish brown spots(ormay bemorepurplishwithwhitespots).Eyestalks white. Dorsalsurface of and hairy alongmargins. Carapace greeny-yellow covered withwhitepatches, withpurpleor straight carapace edged of between Front eye side. either stalks. on Inner teeth surface two of with chelipeds in squarish males with flattened, dense polished, mat Carapace of setae. Legs flattened surface substrate H. Milne Edwards,H. Milne 1837) Austrohelice crassaand Hemiplax hirtipes. Mid- habitat 1.5 cm image: ShaneAhyong 49 about this guide | about crabs | morphology index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary icons

crab body plan body

naturally occuring around naturally occuring around native southwest pacific New Zealand, Australia New Zealand, endemic and other pacific locations

species first described since first described in from outside of New range NZ, this species has been introduced Zealand waters and is extention recorded elsewher found in New Zealand and other locations, invasive

life history naturally occuring around antipodean New Zealand and widespread species recorded globally Australia only

carapace triangular / triangular square carapace square-shaped pear-shaped

paddles present on tip of carapace round, may be round paddles 5th walking leg, used for pea shaped swimming

morphology carapace oval, wider than oval long

hairy tufts across surface, even, hairless, may have hairy may be coarse or smooth smooth slight depressions (like velvet) hair

surface covered with blunt irregularly pitted and rough spiky spines, may be regular or

surface ridged surface, knobbly irregular

50 about this guide | about crabs | morphology index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary icons very fine muddy and silty coralline algae, seagrass mud sediments derived from algal beds or algal beds terrigenous rocks, soils and clays

hard substrate such as anything man-made such mudstone, sandstone, artificial substratum as mooring blocks, mussel rock basalt, compressed lines, wharf piles carbonates

burrowing indentation in rock filled burrow in sand / mud rockpool with water, intertidal

requires a ‘host’ as a shoreline covered with commensal rocky shores habitat rocks and boulders substrate

hidden under rocks or in shell, stone, and pebble cryptic rubble cracks/crevices rubble

living or growing on the external surface of small coarse grains of epizoic/epiphytic sand an animal (epizoic) or worn silica, rock, and shell seaweed, (epiphytic)

exposed shoreline zone sand and rubble spread between high and low over underlying hard tides, including rock flats, substrate, organisms pools, overhangs, crevices, attached to basement rock intertidal covered rock organisms exposed to susceptible to inundation wave action, temperature and scouring from wave extremes, full illumination, surge and currents, and and desiccation subdued illumination composed of a variety of sedimentary substrates zone below the low tide, including coarse gravels, including rock flats, slopes, shell hash and sands to walls, crevices, overhangs, finer sand, mud, and silts, subtidal boulder fields, organisms seabed organisms susceptible to exposed to wave surge inundation and scouring and currents, and subdued from wave surge and illumination currents, and subdued illumination

habitat seabed raised into a bank of compacted rubbles and underwater cliffs and other carbonate materials slopes, organisms exposed including shell, kina and wall to wave surge and bank sealace hash, organisms currents, and subdued exposed to wave surge illumination and currents, and subdued illumination underwater caves, shelves and overhangs, organisms may experience indents wave surge, subdued illumination, or near darkness 51 about this guide | about crabs | morphology index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary glossary algal beds areas of seafloor with coralline algae, sea-grass or multiple seaweed species antennae second pair of appendages protruding from the front of crustacean next to eyes, typically long and whip- like, sensory function antennules first pair of appendages protruding from front of crustacean, typically smaller than antennae anterior towards the front antipodean naturally occurring around New Zealand and Australia only artificial substratum anything man-made such as mooring blocks, mussel lines, wharf piles banded stripes of two or more different colours bank seabed raised into a bank of compacted rubble and other carbonate materials including shell, kina and sea lace hash, organisms exposed to wave surge and currents, and subdued illumination benthic pertaining to living on or in the seabed as opposed to floating or swimming in the ocean above benthos organisms that live on or in the seabed at the bottom of the sea bilobed two lobes blunt not sharp, rounded ends brain-shaped hemispherical with brain-like corrugations brittle fragile but rigid, breaks apart easily bryozoan (bryozoans) scientific name for a moss animal or sea lace carapace the shield or external shell covering the main body of many types of crustaceans cartilaginous having the texture of cartilage, firm and tough yet flexible chelipeds a leg that forms the pincer or claws. The first pair of legs in crabs. chromatophore a pigmented cell colonial multiple animals bound by a single test commensal an association between two organisms in which one benefits and the other derives neither benefit nor harm concentric circles arranged with one inside the other covered rock sand and rubble spread over underlying hard substrate, organisms attached to basement rock susceptible to inundation and scouring from wave surge and currents, and subdued illumination cryptic difficult to see (habitat) or difficult to detect differentiate omfr other species decorative features that enhance and add embellishments to an otherwise plain structure, ornamented deep sea (benthic) seabed in the deeper parts of the ocean not exposed to surface wave action, and where little or no light penetrates deep sea (pelagic) water above the seabed in the deeper parts of the ocean not generally exposed to surface wave action, and where light may or may not penetrate, can be contrasted with water that is near the coast, open- ocean zone diameter the distance across the widest point of a circle dichotomous of branching, where the axis is divided into two branches digitate finger-like dorsal upper surface of the animal endemic naturally occurring in New Zealand, but not elsewhere epibenthic pertaining to living on the seabed as opposed to floating or swimming in the ocean above epibenthos organisms that live on the surface of sediments and other substrates at the bottom of the sea environment physical, chemical, ecological, behavioural, and other conditions experienced by an organism epiphytic living or growing on the external surface of a seaweed epizoic living or growing on the external surface of an animal eurybathic can live or be found at many depths fingers finger-like, often arising from an encrusting or restricted base, digitate firm requires some pressure to compress fleshy feels like skin or edam cheese, dense gelatinous jelly-like, slippery gonad reproductive structure granular surface covered in small to medium sized rounded or square granules, giving a sand-papery texture due to calcareous or siliceous minerals in or on (echinoderms) the surface of the organism (sponges, ascidians) habitat the environment and local situation in which an organism lives hard solid to the touch, not compressible, rigid indents underwater caves, shelves and overhangs, organisms that live there may experience wave surge, subdued illumination, or near darkness integument outer body wall or skin interstices the gaps and spaces between things e.g., rocks, sand-grains or seaweed holdfasts intertidal exposed shoreline zone between high and low tides, including rock flats, pools, overhangs, crevices, organisms exposed to wave action, temperature extremes, full illumination, and desiccation introduced species first described from outside of New Zealand waters and is found in New Zealand and other locations, invasive

52 about this guide | about crabs | morphology index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary lateral side of an animal margins edge of a surface meandering wandering along and above substratum attached at intervals, repent, ramify morphology form and structure, shape mottled variable, blotchy, patterning of several colours mud very fine and silty sediments derived from terrigenous rocks, soils and clays naked surface unadorned by spines or granules, usually smooth native naturally occurring around New Zealand, endemic opaque impenetrable by light oral related to the mouth of an animal ornamented an otherwise plain structure that is altered or adorned by embellishment, decorative paddle the tip of the fifth walking leg, flattened into an oval or rounded leaf-like appendage, used for swimming as opposed to walking peristome parts surrounding the mouth of various invertebrates such as the echinoderms posterior towards the rear of the organism radius distance between the edge and centre of a circle range extension since first described in New Zealand, this species has been recorded elsewhere refuge safe place to hide from predators rock hard substrate such as mudstone, sandstone, basalt, compressed carbonates rockpool indentation in rock, filled with water, intertidal zone rostrum elongation of the front of the carapace (shell) between the eyes rough irregularly pitted and ridged surface, often tough rubble shell, stone, and pebble rubble sand small coarse grains of worn silica, rock, and shell seabed composed of a variety of sedimentary substrates including coarse gravels, shell hash and sands to finer sand, mud, and silts, organisms susceptible to inundation and scouring from wave surge and currents, and subdued illumination setae (Crustacea) hair-like structures on the body and limbs of crustaceans sinuous wavy pattern smooth even, hairless, silky, can be slightly undulating soft soft to the touch, easily compressible southwest pacific naturally occurring around New Zealand, Australia and other pacific locations spined surface covered with spines (echinoderms), or prickly bundles of very long spicules stipe a stalk or stem, especially the stem of a seaweed or sponge substrate an underlying substance or layer, rock, sand, etc subtidal zone below the low tide, including rock flats, slopes, walls, crevices, overhangs, boulder fields, organisms exposed to wave surge and currents, and subdued illumination surface patterning or ornamentation on the surface of the body of an animal teeth sharp or pointy protrusions arising from the shell or lateral margin of the shell thick encrusting spreading over substratum, more than about 20 mm thick thin encrusting spreading over substratum, less than about 5 mm thick translucent lets light through body wall or surface of organism, but not enough to perceive distinct details through it. transparent body wall can be gelatinous, appearing see-through, internal details visible transverse across the short axis of the body wall trilobed three lobes tubercles rounded or lumpy protrusions arising from the carapace or margins of the carapace, may be granulated in texture ventral lower surface or underside of the animal that sits on the seabed wall underwater cliffs and slopes, organisms exposed to wave surge and currents, and subdued illumination warty bearing small flattened bumps or tubercles widespread species recorded globally

53 about this guide | about crabs | morphology index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary acknowledgements

A number of the specimens used to produce this guide are from the Marine Invasives Taxonomic Service Collection (MITS) (funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries under Agreement 11465), and were collected under the National Marine High Risk Site Surveillance research programme (Project RFP10623). Support to SW was funded by NIWA under Coasts and Oceans Research Programme 2 Marine Biological Resources: Discovery and definition of the marine biota of New Zealand (2014/2015 SCI) and MITS. STA thanks Rachel, Bronwyn and Jessica for help during many family field trips. Thanks to the many and talented photographers whose work was used with permission in our guide, including: Pete Notman for the cover photo and introduction background image. Other photographs, used with permission were contributed by Pete Notman, Chris Woods, Reyn Naylor, Kareen Schnabel, all from NIWA New Zealand; Richard Taylor, University of Auckland and Pete Humphries. Special thanks to Colin McLay for the line drawing of Halimena aotearoa (originally published in Melrose, 1975). Thanks also to Diana McPherson for help with the templates and maps. further reading

Ahyong, S. T. (2008) Deepwater crabs from seamounts and chemosynthetic habitats off eastern New Zealand (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura). Zootaxa 1708: 1–72. Ahyong, S. T., Booth, J., Bruce, N. L., Loerz, A.-N., Naylor, J. R., Schnabel, K., & Webber, W. R. (2012) Phylum Arthropoda. In D. M. Tracey, O. F. Anderson & J. R. Naylor (Eds.), A guide to common deepsea invertebrates in New Zealand waters, Third Edition, pp. 159–222. Wellington: NZ Ministry of Fisheries. Ahyong, S.T., Wilkens, S.L. (2011) Aliens in the Antipodes: Non-indigenous marine crustaceans of New Zealand and Australia. In Galil, B.S., Clark, P.F., Carlton, J.T. (Eds), In the Wrong Place: Alien Marine Crustaceans: Distribution, Biology and Impacts. Invading Nature – Springer Series in Invasion Ecology 6, 451–485 pp. Bennett, E. W. (1964) The marine fauna of New Zealand: Crustacea Brachyura. New Zealand Oceanographic Institute Memoir 22: 1–120. Campbell, B. M., Griffin, D. J. G. (1966) The Australian Sesarminae (Crustacea: Brachyura): genera Helice, Helograpsus nov., Cyclograpsus and Paragrapsus. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 14(5): 127–174. Davie, P.J.F. (1989) A re-appraisal of Heteropanope Stimpson, and Pilumnopeus A Milne-Edwards (Crustacea: Decapoda: Pilumnidae) with descriptions of new species and new genera. Memoirs of The Queensland Museum 27: 129–156. Dawson, E.W. (1987) A key to the world species of Plagusia (Crustacea: Brachyura) with a new record of P. depressa tuberculata Lamarck from New Zealand. National Museum of New Zealand Records 3(4): 37–45. Dell, R. K., Griffin, D. J. G., Yaldwyn, J. C. (1970). A new swimming crab from the New Zealand subantarctic and a review of the genus Nectocarcinus A. Milne Edwards. Transactions of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 12(7): 49–68. Griffin, D. J. G. (1966) The marine fauna of New Zealand: spider crabs, family Majidae (Crustacea, Brachyura). New Zealand Oceanographic Institute Memoir, 35: 1–111. Griffin, D.J.G. (1973) A revision of the two southern temperate shore crabsLeptograpsus variegatus (Fabricius) and Plagusia chabrus (Linnaeus) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Grapsidae). Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand 3(3): 415– 440. Gust, N., Inglis, G.J. (2006) Adaptive multi-scale sampling to determine an invasive crab’s habitat useage and range in New Zealand. Biological Invasions 8: 339–353. Keenan, C.P., Davie, P.J.F. Mann, D.L. (1998) A revision of the genus Scylla de Haan, 1833 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura: Portunidae). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 46, 217–245. Lai, J. C. Y., Ng, P. K. L. Davie, P. J. F. (2010) A revision of the Portunus pelagicus (Linnaeus, 1758) species complex (Crustacea: Brachyura: Portunidae), with the recognition of four species. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 58(2): 199–237. McLay, C. (1988) Crabs of New Zealand. Leigh Laboratory Bulletin 22: 1–463. McClay, C.L., Schubart, C.D. (2004) On the correct name for Hemigrapsus edwardsii (Hilgendorf, 1882) (Brachyura: Varunidae) from New Zealand. Journal of Natural History 38: 695–704. Melrose, M. J. (1975) The marine fauna of New Zealand: Family Hymenosomatidae (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura). New Zealand Oceanographic Institute Memoir 34: 1–123.Yaldwyn, J.C., Webber, R.W. (2011) Annotated checklist of New Zealand Decapoda (Arthropoda: Crustacea). Tuhinga 22: 171-272. Ng, P.K.L., Guinot, D., Davie, P.J.F. (2008) Systema Brachyurorum: Part 1. An annotated checklist of extant brachyuran crabs of the world. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 17: 1–286. Page, R. M. (1983). Description of a new species of Pinnotheres, and redescription of P. novaezelandiae (Brachyura: Pinnotheridae). New Zealand Journal of Zoology 10: 151–162.

54 about this guide | about crabs | morphology index | species index | species pages | icons | glossary

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