You are here
Flora and Fauna
Leptodius exaratus
SUMMARY
Carapace hexagonal, dorsal surface of carapace smooth with regions well defined, frontal region distinctly bilobed with medial fissure. Anterolateral margins convex with four teeth (sometime blunt in small specimens). Flagellum of antennal can be pushed into the orbit via a small gap. Chelipeds strong and nearly equal in size and crest absent on dorsal margin of propodus. Walking legs round in section and without a crest on the dorsal margin of the merus, carpus and propodus. Male abdomen somites 3-5 are not moveable.
Vernacular name: Pebble crabs.
This is a common intertidal crab. Their carapaces show a remarkable diversity of colour form, some are even bright orange and possessing stripes! The tips of their fingers of their claws are spoon-tipped, which they use to feed on detritus and algae.