Achaeopsis

Achaeopsis spinulosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Infraorder:	Brachyura
Family:	Inachidae
Genus:	Achaeopsis; Stimpson, 1857
Species:	A. spinulosa
Binomial name
	Achaeopsis spinulosa; Stimpson, 1857
Synonyms
	Achaeopsis spinulosus Stimpson, 1857 (incorrect gender)

Achaeopsis spinulosa, the hotlips spider crab, is a species of crab in the family Inachidae, found only around the South African coast. It is the only species in the genus Achaeopsis.[1]

Distribution

The crab is found from False Bay to Durban, subtidally to 43 metres (141 ft). It is endemic to this region.

Description

close-up of the mouthparts of the hotlips spider crab

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 70 millimetres (2.8 in) across. Its carapace is rounded, tapering to a blunt tip. Its pincers are raggedly striped in white and red.[2]

Ecology

The crab decorates its body with sponges, hydroids, or algae, improving its camouflage. It is seldom seen without some form of decoration. It is often found among striped anemones and on sea fans.

References

Peter K. L. Ng; Danièle Guinot; Peter J. F. Davie (2008). "Systema Brachyurorum: Part I. An annotated checklist of extant Brachyuran crabs of the world" (PDF). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 17: 1–286. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-06.
G. M. Branch; M. L. Branch; C. L. Griffiths; L. E. Beckley (2010). Two Oceans: a Guide to the Marine Life of Southern Africa. Struik Nature. ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0.

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[Ng-1] Peter K. L. Ng; Danièle Guinot; Peter J. F. Davie (2008). "Systema Brachyurorum: Part I. An annotated checklist of extant Brachyuran crabs of the world" (PDF). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology. 17: 1–286. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-06.

[2] G. M. Branch; M. L. Branch; C. L. Griffiths; L. E. Beckley (2010). Two Oceans: a Guide to the Marine Life of Southern Africa. Struik Nature. ISBN 978-1-77007-772-0.