is this a masking crab?
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:12 pm
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:26 pm
No, it's an adult male sharpnose crab (Scyra acutifrons).
Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 4:29 pm
thanks, greg!Greg Jensen wrote:No, it's an adult male sharpnose crab (Scyra acutifrons).
i know this isn't the best picture, but do you recognize this one? is it a juvenile sharpnose?
Posted: 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.
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.
Posted: 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?
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:23 pm
Click on my website button and you might get some ideas 
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:28 pm
Hey, spatman!spatman wrote:thanks for the insight! do you have a particular book or resource you could recommend for crab ID?
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
Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:43 pm
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 wrote:Click on my website button and you might get some ideas
Posted: 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!
So if anyone's holding off waiting for the new version- you'll just have to wait that much longer!
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 1:37 pm
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.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!
When it finally comes out I'll snatch up the new one in a heartbeat!
- John
Posted: 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.
thanks again for your help.