Macrophthalmus pacificus

Macrophthalmus pacificus
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Suborder:	Pleocyemata
Infraorder:	Brachyura
Family:	Macrophthalmidae
Genus:	Macrophthalmus
Subgenus:	Mareotis
Species:	M. pacificus
Binomial name
Macrophthalmus pacificus Dana, 1851
Synonyms[1]
Macrophthalmus bicarinatus Heller, 1862

Macrophthalmus pacificus is a species of sentinel crab found widely across the Indo-West Pacific Ocean, including India, Japan, Malaysia, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and northern Australia.[2]

In Australia it is found in the north from northern New South Wales to around Exmouth in Western Australia.[1] M. pacificus lives in mud in tidal zones of river mouths' adjacent mangrove forests in low tide areas. The claws of adult males are sky blue.[3] It is often found feeding in shallow still water, and in soft mud.[4]: 2  The upper claw of males has a tooth on the upper claw (dactyl). Like other Macrophthalmus species, the claws of the male are larger than those of the female.[3] The carapace is smooth and shiny, up to around 25 mm across.[5]

A synonym of Macrophthalmus pacificus is Macrophthalmus bicarinatus.[1]

References

1. "Species Macrophthalmus (Mareotis) pacificus Dana, 1851". Australian Faunal Directory. Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. 5 June 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
2. "Macrophthalmus pacificus Dana, 1851". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
3. Peter J. F. Davie (17 February 2012). "A review of Macrophthalmus sensu lato (Crustacea: Decapoda: Macrophthalmidae) from Australia, including two new species and new records" (PDF). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature. Memoirs of the Queensland Museum. 56 (1). Brisbane: Queensland Museum: 149–219. ISSN 0079-8835. Wikidata Q115789802.
4. Howard, Robyn (August 2011). "Identifying Crabs at Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary" (PDF). Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary Support Group. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
5. R. S. K. Barnes (March 1968). "Relative Carapace and Chela Proportions in Some Ocypodid Crabs (Brachyura, Ocypodidae)". Crustaceana. 14 (2): 131–136. doi:10.1163/156854068X00494. ISSN 0011-216X. JSTOR 20102925. Wikidata Q115790341.