''Achaeopsis spinulosa'', the hotlips spider crab, is a
species of
crab
Crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" (abdomen) ( el, βραχύς , translit=brachys = short, / = tail), usually hidden entirely under the thorax. They live in all the ...
in the
family Inachidae
Inachidae is a family of crabs, containing 39 genera:
*'' Achaeopsis'' Stimpson, 1857
*'' Achaeus'' Leach, 1815
*'' Anisonotus'' A. Milne-Edwards, 1879
*'' Anomalothir'' Miers, 1879
*'' Bothromaia'' Williams & Moffitt, 1991
*'' Calypsachaeus'' ...
, found only around the South African coast. It is the
only species in the
genus ''Achaeopsis''.
Distribution
The crab is found from
False Bay to
Durban, subtidally to . It is
endemic to this region.
Description
''Achaeopsis spinulosa'' is commonly known as the hotlips spider crab because of the vivid red marking around its mouth. It is a small spider crab with relatively long but quite sturdy legs. It may grow to across. Its carapace is rounded, tapering to a blunt tip. Its pincers are raggedly striped in white and red.
Ecology
The crab decorates its body with
sponges,
hydroids, or
algae
Algae (; singular alga ) is an informal term for a large and diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms. It is a polyphyletic grouping that includes species from multiple distinct clades. Included organisms range from unicellular mic ...
, improving its
camouflage. It is seldom seen without some form of decoration. It is often found among
striped anemones and on
sea fans.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q4673400
Majoidea
Monotypic crustacean genera