Thin shelled rock crab

Tahitian names

toetoe

Interesting facts

The runner crab is a common crab in French Polynesia and is found all over the tropics. We can run into it on the waterfront in zones exposed to the waves. It is very common on rocky beaches. It can run very fast and jump from rock to rock, and can be fun to observe. They are a mixed color made up of dark green, black, orange, yellow, and red with irregular wrinkles on the top of its shell that is always white or yellowish. This crab is quite flat and has a round carapace. Its back legs are extremely flattened. This crab’s eyes are spaced out and its claws are generally red. In terms of reproduction, a precopulatory nuptial court is common (through olfactory and tactile cues).

Resources & Documents

sources & credits