Ocypode ceratophthalmus,[2]thehorned ghost crab[3]orhorn-eyed ghost crab,[4]is aspeciesofghost crab.It lives in theIndo-Pacificregion (except theRed Sea); from the coast ofEast Africato thePhilippinesand fromJapanto theGreat Barrier Reef.They also occur in the Pacific Islands to as far east asPolynesiaandClipperton Island.[5][6]As their common name implies,O. ceratophthalmuspossesseyestalksextending beyond the eyes into long points,[7]which are longer in adults, and shorter (or even absent) in juveniles. The crabs have a box-shaped body, 6–8 centimetres (2.4–3.1 in) across thecarapace,with a darker markings towards the rear in the shape of an H. The outer edges of the eye-sheaths are also sharp and broadly triangular and distinctly pointing sideways in larger individuals.[4][5]O. ceratophthalmuscan run at speeds of up to 2.1 metres per second (6.9 ft/s).[8]
| Ocypode ceratophthalmus | |
|---|---|
| |
| O. ceratophthalmus,Krabi,Thailand | |
Scientific classification
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Family: | Ocypodidae |
| Genus: | Ocypode |
| Species: | O. ceratophthalmus
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| Binomial name | |
| Ocypode ceratophthalmus | |
| Synonyms | |
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The characteristic "horned" eyes ofO. ceratophthalmusare not unique to the species, and it should not be confused with other ghost crabs which also exhibit "horns" on the end of their eyestalks such asO. cursor,O. gaudichaudii,O. macrocera,O. mortoni,O. rotundata,andO. saratan.[5]
Gallery
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PurpleO. ceratophthalmusonKailua Beach,Hawaii -
PurpleO. ceratophthalmusatKona,Hawaii -
GreenO. ceratophthalmusonDiego Garcia -
RedO. ceratophthalmusfeeding on aloggerhead sea turtle(Caretta caretta) hatchling atGnaraloo,Western Australia -
India -
Dorsal viewMolokai,Hawaii
References
edit- ^De Grave, Sammy; et al. (September 15, 2009)."A classification of living and fossil genera of decapod crustaceans"(PDF).Raffles Bulletin of Zoology(Supplement 21): 1–109.
- ^"Ocypode ceratophthalmus(Pallas, 1772) ".World Register of Marine Species.2019.RetrievedJanuary 15,2019.
- ^"Ghost crabs".Marine Invertebrates of the National Park of American Samoa.University of Hawaii.November 10, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 2,2010.
- ^ab"Horn-eyed ghost crabOcypode ceratophthalmus".Wild Singapore. May 2009.
- ^abcSakai, Katsushi & Türkay, Michael (June 30, 2013)."Revision of the genusOcypodewith the description of a new genus,Hoplocypode(Crustacea: Decapoda: Brachyura) ".Memoirs of the Queensland Museum – Nature.56(2): 665–793.
- ^"Ocypode ceratophthalmus(Pallas, 1872) ".Sealifebase.February 25, 2009.RetrievedJanuary 2,2010.
- ^Gillikin, David & Verheyden, Anouk (November 11, 2002)."Ocypode ceratophthalmus(Pallas) ".A field guide to Kenyan mangroves.RetrievedJanuary 2,2010.
- ^Burrows, Malcolm & Hoyle, Graham (1973)."The mechanism of rapid running in the ghost crab,Ocypode ceratophthalma"(PDF).The Journal of Experimental Biology.58(2): 327–349.doi:10.1242/jeb.58.2.327.
Further reading
edit- George, R. W. (April 1982). Morton, B. S.; Tsang, C. K. (eds.). "The distribution and evolution of the ghost crabs (Ocypodespp.) of Hong Kong with a description of a new species ".Proceedings of the First International Marine Biological Workshop: The Marine Flora and Fauna of Hong Kong and Southern China.1(1). Hong Kong University Press: 185–194.
- Serène, R. (1977). "Crustacés hippidés et brachyoures des îles Séchelles".Revue de Zoologie Africaine.91(1): 45–68.
External links
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Media related toOcypode ceratophthalmusat Wikimedia Commons- Photos ofOcypode ceratophthalmuson Sealife Collection
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