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Menaethius monoceros (Latreille, 1825)
| Family Name: | Epialtidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Invertebrates (Crustacean, Crab and Prawn) |
| Common Name: | One-horned Spider Crab |
Name
Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | This species is found among marine macro-algae (e.g. Sargassum) and sea grass growing on rocky or sandy/muddy bottom habitat, where its small size and cryptic colouration make it very difficult to detect. It also actively covers itself with debris to improve its already superb camouflage. It feeds on plant and animal matter. |
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| Habitats | Marine, Sandy Shore, Rocky Shore |
| Distribution | Indo-West Pacific. There is one recent Lessepian migratory record from the Tyrrhenian coast of Italy. |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Loss of shallow-water sea grass habitats through land reclamation, dumping and pollution. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | This species is representative of an entire assemblage of species that live almost exclusively in sea grass habitats, ranging from snails to other crustaceans to marine mammals such as dugongs. |
| Conservation Notes | The importance of the sea grass habitat in which this species occurs is often overlooked. The conservation of our remaining isolated patches of sea grasses is therefore critical. |
Status
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Vulnerable (VU) [2008] |
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Photos
References
| References | Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp |
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