Ozius truncatus
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| Ozius truncatus | ||||||||||||||||
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| Ozius truncatus A. Milne-Edwards, 1834 |
Ozius truncatus, or the black finger crab or reef crab, is a crab of the family Menippidae, endemic to south eastern Australia and the North Island of New Zealand. It is found under rocks around the low-tide mark.
Ozius truncatus has a very solid-looking "muscular" appearance, with massive claws that are brown or black with lighter tips. This colour can vary from white to red-brown at different stages of its life. The carapace is broadly oval with a wide front, flattened above, and with granules and distinct raised areas. There are small tubercles on the front edge and sides of the carapace. The chelae are uneven in size, especially in males, where one chela may be as long as the carapace is wide.
It is not an aggressive species and does not attempt to defend itself, even though its claws are large and appear menacing.
Width of the carapace is up to 80 mm.
[edit] References
- Miller M & Batt G, Reef and Beach Life of New Zealand, William Collins (New Zealand) Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1973
- FaunaNet
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