Macropodia linaresi

Penny Martin Plesae could you advise which crab this is? Thank you .

Bernard Picton There are two genera of small spider crabs in our area, Penny. Inachus and Macropodia. This is a Macropodia, but I don't think it's possible to distinguish them without detailed examination of the rostrum and antennae.

Bernard Picton Macropodia Leach, 1814 Macropodia deflexa Forest, 1978 Macropodia linaresi Forest & Z Alvarez, 1964 Macropodia rostrata (Linnaeus, 1761) Macropodia tenuirostris (Leach, 1814)

Bernard Picton Macropodia rostrata seems to be the commonest one.

Andy Horton I think this is Macropodia

Becky Hitchin Don't Inachus more often have sponges attached to them than Macropodia? Or is that just a local thiing down here?

Becky Hitchin Of course, always one that proves the rule!

Bernard Picton There are three Inachus species in Britain and Ireland, I think they all tend to have sponges on them, whilst Macropodia decorates itself with weeds and hydroids.

Andy Horton http://www.glaucus.org.uk/Macropod.htm

Ian Macleod Young spider crab !! In a message dated 12/02/2012 13:38:11 GMT Standard Time,

Penny Martin Thank you ..... lots seen on this dive and they all looked slightly different .... some much chunkier than others and many covered with seaweed !

Ian Macleod Hi Penny. They are like us, they change as they grow up !! Lolololol. Ian In a message dated 12/02/2012 18:26:48 GMT Standard Time,

Andy Horton It might not be fully grown, but it is not a baby. They do not grow all that large.