Xantho hydrophilus

Douglas Herdson Hi, I should be grateful for an identification of this xanthid (?) crab from Lundy Island.

Andy Horton It is one of the Xantho ones. Some books should a different generic name nowadays. I used the know which is which out of the two species.

George Brown Hi Douglas, Marlin advises: "Xantho pilipes, is most readily distinguished from Xantho incisus by dense fringes of setae on the lateral and posterior margins of the carapace and on the walking legs." I can't see these fringes on your photos. Hope that helps.

Andy Horton Notes I made in 1992: The usual shore populations of common invertebrates were present, but also the southern species of crab Xantho incisus which was very common under boulders. There are two species of Xantho crab from British seas. The specimens found at Marazion had white claws and a chocolate brown carapace, but colour is not the distinguishing guide - the same species could also have black claws. The back legs lacked the bristles or setae that are found on Xantho pilipes. The diet of this crab is not well known, but it will eat smaller crabs of other species including the Hairy Crab, Pilumnus hirtellus.

Andy Horton I have only found Xantho incisus.

David Fenwick Snr Xantho pilipes Doug.

George Brown Hi David, can you see "fringes of setae" in Douglas's photo which would make it X. pilipes? Am I looking in the right place?

David Fenwick Snr Hi George,click on the image of the carapace, the one on the right, the fringe is there.

George Brown This shows the fringe I was looking for. Guess it's not so obvious out the water.

Douglas Herdson Thanks folks, I had made it Xantho pilipes, but I do not think it had been recorded on Lundy; and am not familiar with the two species.

Douglas Herdson George, you can see the fringe better in this photo, it was not as obviously hairy as I had expected.

Andrew Cleave Both species quite common on Scilly - have found them on St Mary's, including females carrying eggs. Pincer colour can vary, however.

Douglas Herdson Thanks Andrew, I did not have time to look at the crabs when I was on Scilly. I have always questioned that brown tip or black tip feature. Did you find any Xanthos in your 2010 survey on Lundy?

Beccy MacDonald Hi Douglas Herdson, we regularly find Xantho incisus so this is a good find. Do you mind if I copy your photos from here and add the finding into our marine logbook? Could you also tell me when and where you found it? The images look as though it was in the Devils Kitchen. Beccy (Lundy Warden) :)

Douglas Herdson Hi Beccy, Will send you decent photos. Also found a Corkwing wrasse nest - details in the marine log - mid shore Devil's Kitchen 6th July.

Beccy MacDonald Thanks Douglas Herdson :)

Beccy MacDonald We found one today too! Along with Xantho hydrophilus :)

Andy Horton Xantho hydrophilus (also known as Xantho incisus and various other scientific names)