is this a masking crab?

Greg Jensen · Post by **Greg Jensen** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:26 pm

No, it's an adult male sharpnose crab (Scyra acutifrons).

spatman · Post by **spatman** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:29 pm

Greg Jensen wrote:No, it's an adult male sharpnose crab (Scyra acutifrons).

thanks, greg!

i know this isn't the best picture, but do you recognize this one? is it a juvenile sharpnose?

Greg Jensen · Post by **Greg Jensen** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 1:20 pm

It's either a juvenile or a female. Females have small claws, as do males until they reach sexual maturity.
Like other spider crabs, once they molt to sexual maturity, they never molt again. But it's not clear what determines the size that they become sexually mature. Some do it at 5mm, some at 45mm.

spatman · Post by **spatman** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 3:32 pm

thanks for the insight! do you have a particular book or resource you could recommend for crab ID?

Greg Jensen · Post by **Greg Jensen** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:23 pm

Click on my website button and you might get some ideas

John Rawlings · Post by **John Rawlings** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:28 pm

spatman wrote:thanks for the insight! do you have a particular book or resource you could recommend for crab ID?

Hey, spatman!

Greg is the author of a REALLY FINE book on crabs and shrimps....as I'm pretty certain you have already discovered when you clicked on his web site!

Greg....is there any chance of an updated larger version in the future? I know that you and your colleagues must've found a lot of new species in this region to add over the past few years.

- John

spatman · Post by **spatman** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:43 pm

Greg Jensen wrote:Click on my website button and you might get some ideas

ha, i'm such a dork. thanks for pointing out the obvious! i'll get a copy of your book as soon as i have the available scuba units...

Greg Jensen · Post by **Greg Jensen** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:49 pm

I've been working on a new edition for quite a while- it will add about 60 more species, including several that I've described and named since the first edition came out, plus 'new and improved' pictures. The catch is that the present batch have to sell out before the publisher will do another edition.
So if anyone's holding off waiting for the new version- you'll just have to wait that much longer!

John Rawlings · Post by **John Rawlings** » Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:37 pm

Greg Jensen wrote:I've been working on a new edition for quite a while- it will add about 60 more species, including several that I've described and named since the first edition came out, plus 'new and improved' pictures. The catch is that the present batch have to sell out before the publisher will do another edition.
So if anyone's holding off waiting for the new version- you'll just have to wait that much longer!

Not me! I can be patient! I wore out the first copy that I bought when it first appeared years ago and have since bought one of the new editions to replace it.

When it finally comes out I'll snatch up the new one in a heartbeat!

- John

spatman · Post by **spatman** » Sun Jan 27, 2008 2:30 pm

ok, greg, i'm doing my part to help get your new edition released. just ordered the current version. looking forward to getting it!

thanks again for your help.