Queensland Elbow Crab
Cryptopodia queenslandi
Cryptopodia belongs to the family of Elbow crabs, which generally present a rough and tuberculated surface with long chelipeds that have an elbow-like joint. The genus is unique and characterised by a triangular carapace with large lateral expansions that completely cover the legs (the body is wider than long) and a triangular depression in teh middle. The chelipeds have wing-like expansions which complete the flatenned appearance of this crab.
Morphology
The carapace of C. queenslandi is relatively smooth and there are closed fissured around the margins which can be seen from the dorsal view. It has short and slender ambulatory legs and a short and wide rostrum which is triangular in shape and horizontally aligned.
Evolution
The genus contains 15 species and subspecies, six occur in Australia.
Behaviour
Slow-moving crabs that are rarelly seen due to their cryptic habits.
Method of reproduction
Sexual
Habitat
Marine
Found subtidally on coral reefs or rubbly, sandy or rocky substrates
Distribution
Northern Australia and probably Indonesia
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Crustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Subclass: | Eumalacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Superfamily: | Parthenopoidea |
| Family: | Parthenopidae |
| Subfamily: | Parthenopinae |
| Genus: | Cryptopodia |
| Species: | queenslandi |
| Name Published Year: | 1918 |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name Authorship: | Rathbun |
| Commercial Impact: | None |
| Conservation Assessment: | Least Concern |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/Cryptopodia-queenslandi
Accessed 9 Sep 2025
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