Paragrapsus laevis

Paragrapsus laevis
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Suborder:	Pleocyemata
Infraorder:	Brachyura
Family:	Varunidae
Genus:	Paragrapsus
Species:	P. laevis
Binomial name
Paragrapsus laevis (Dana, 1851)

Paragrapsus laevis

Paragrapsus laevis is a species of crab found in south eastern Australia, from southern Queensland to around the South Australian border, including Tasmania.[1]

It is commonly known as the mottled shore crab.[2] Carapace is up to around 35[3] to 40mm across,[2] with two notches in each side behind the eye, and has two well defined lobes. Claws are reddish on top, whitish underneath. Paragrapsus laevis individuals are redder and a little smaller than Paragrapsus gaimardii individuals. Males have significantly large claws compared to females.[3]

It lives on tidal shores, in sheltered bays or in estuaries, but not far inland. It can be found in mangroves in burrows and under debris or rocks.[4]

Chasmagnathus laevis, Paragrapsus verreauxi are previous synonyms of Paragrapsus laevis.[1]

References

1. "Australian Faunal Directory". Australian Biological Resources Study. 2018. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
2. "Paragrapsus laevis Mottled Shore Crab in Museums Victoria Collections". Museum Victoria Collections. Museums Victoria. Retrieved 2022-07-16.
3. Diana S. Jones & Gary J. Morgan (2002). A Field Guide to Crustaceans of Australian Waters Second Edition. Chatswood, New South Wales: Western Australian Museum/New Holland Publishers. ISBN 9781876334826.
4. Campbell, B. M.; Griffin, D.J.G. (1966-02-28). "The Australian Sesarminae (Crustacea: Brachyura): Genera Helice, Helograpsus Nov., Cyclograpsus and Paragrapsus" (PDF). Reprint from Volume 14, Part 5, Memoirs of the Oueensland Museum.