Ozius deplanatus
Ozius deplanatus, commonly known as the black finger crab and the iron crab, is a species of crab found in New Zealand and Australia.[1][2]
| Black finger crab | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Subphylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | O. deplanatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Ozius deplanatus H. Milne Edwards, 1834 | |
Distribution
Common around the North Island of New Zealand.[1]
Found in Australia from Eastern Victoria to New South Wales, on Flinders Island and the Kent Group.[2][3]
Also found on Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.[3]
Habitat
O. deplanatus is found under boulders and among stones in the lower to mid tidal regions of the intertidal zone on sheltered rocky and gravel shores.[1][4][5]
It is distributed sparsely, with one individual per 5 m2.[1]
Description
Adults average 57 millimetres (2.2 in) in size with a flattened oval-shaped carapace that is wide in the front with blunt lobed edges. This can be a rusty red to chocolate brown colour with light mottling. Underside may be a paler cream colour.[2] The antennae are dark red to brown. Claws are large with a smooth texture.[2] Fingers may be black or brown in colour.[1] Walking legs are pale red with golden setae or hairs.[1]
Behaviour & Diet
The black finger crab is a scavenger feeder.[5] It feeds on snails, half-crabs and hermit crabs. It is known to chip away at the shells of larger snails before grasping the animal with its mouth-parts. Smaller snails are crushed by the crab's large claws. It also feeds on limpets and chitons by using the tip of its claw to remove them from a rock.[1]
It will spread its claws when started or threatened.[1]
References
- Carson, Sally; Morris, Rod (2017). Collins Field Guide to the New Zealand Seashore. Harper Collins Publishers (New Zealand). ISBN 978-1-7755-4010-6.
- Wilkens, Serena; Ahyong, Shane (2015). Coastal Crabs: a Guide to the Crabs of New Zealand. https://www.niwa.co.nz/static/web/coastal_crabs_2015.pdf: NIWA Taihoro Nukurangi.CS1 maint: location (link)
- Edgar, Graham. (2012). Australian marine life : the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed New Holland. ISBN 9781921517174. OCLC 793720774.
- Bennett, Edward William (1964). The marine fauna of New Zealand: Crustacea Brachyura. RE Owen, Government Printer.
- "Crab, Black Fingered". www.marinelife.ac.nz. Retrieved 2019-09-29.
http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=440514