Mosaic reef crab
A Lophozozymus pictor crab eating a clam
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Subphylum:
Crustacea
Class:
Malacostraca
Order:
Decapoda
Infraorder:
Brachyura
Family:
Xanthidae
Genus:
Lophozozymus
Species:
L. pictor

Lophozozymus pictor, the mosaic reef crab is a species of crab in the family Xanthidae.

Description and etymology

The word "pictor" in Latin means painter.

Its appearance is a body of 8–10 cm (3.1–3.9 in), somewhat fan-shaped and usually red to orange with strikingly mosaic-like patterns of large white spots. Its pincers are short, both about equal size, with black tips. It has walking legs that are hairy with pointed tips.[1]

Distribution and ecology

Lophozozymus pictor is found in China, Indonesia, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, and lastly, French Polynesia. (native)[2]

In the Philippines, this is known as Calintugas. They live along the coral areas of Batangas, Mindoro, Sorsogon, Negros Oriental, and Samar.[3]

Toxicity

This is known to be one of the most poisonous crabs in the world. Its neurotoxin does not get denatured by heat even when cooked.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Mosaic reef crab (Lophozozymus pictor)". www.wildsingapore.com. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
  2. ↑ "Country List - Lophozozymus pictor". www.sealifebase.ca. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  3. ↑ Rontas, Darlene Yap. "Not all crabs are safe to eat". www.bar.gov.ph. Retrieved 2021-03-02.
  4. ↑ "Lophozozymus pictor, mosaic reef crab". www.sealifebase.ca. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
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