Wire coral crab
Xenocarcinus tuberculatus
This small mimetic spider crab lives on coral reefs in association with whip corals.
Morphology
Members of this disdinctive genus of spider crabs have an elongated carapace (roughly triangular) with a long rostrum which is generally bifurcate anteriorly. The carapace of X. tuberculatus is smooth with tubercles that resemble the polips from the soft corals. It is white with patterns of orange and brown. No evident sexual dimorphism.
Evolution
The coloration of these crabs resembles their hosts. The genus contains seven species, of which two occur in Australia.
Method of reproduction
Sexual
Habitat
Marine
Associated with gorgonians, black corals and hydroids.
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Crustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Subclass: | Eumalacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Superfamily: | Majoidea |
| Family: | Epialtidae |
| Genus: | Xenocarcinus |
| Species: | tuberculatus |
| Name Published Year: | 1847 |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name Authorship: | White |
| Commercial Impact: | None |
| Conservation Assessment: | Data Deficient |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/Xenocarcinus-tuberculatus
Accessed 6 Jun 2025
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