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{{Short description|Species of crab}}{{More citations needed|date=August 2024}}{{Speciesbox
{{Taxobox
| image = Rainbow crab.jpg
| image = Rainbow crab.jpg
| taxon = Cardisoma armatum
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| authority = [[J. A. Herklots|Herklots]]<!--J. A. = Janus Adrian-->, 1851
| phylum = [[Arthropod]]a
| subphylum = [[Crustacean|Crustacea]]
| classis = [[Malacostraca]]
| ordo = [[Decapoda]]
| infraordo = [[Crab|Brachyura]]
| superfamilia = [[Grapsoidea]]
| familia = [[Gecarcinidae]]
| genus = ''[[Cardisoma]]''
| species = '''''C. armatum'''''
| binomial = ''Cardisoma armatum''
| binomial_authority = [[J. A. Herklots|Herklots]]<!--J. A. = Janus Adrian-->, 1851
}}
}}


'''''Cardisoma armatum''''' is a [[species]] of [[land crab|terrestrial crab]].
'''''Cardisoma armatum''''' is a [[species]] of [[land crab|terrestrial crab]]. It is sometimes referred to as the '''(African) rainbow crab''', '''(Nigerian) moon crab''' or '''patriot crab'''. Adults are sometimes labelled as ''soapdish crabs'' in the [[pet industry]]. This name derives from their [[aggression|aggressive nature]] as adults and when being shipped to pet stores, they are often packed in [[soap dish]]es to prevent them from killing each other. The names ''moon crab'' and ''soapdish crab'' are sometimes applied to other similar crab species, leading to frequent confusion with other colourful crabs such as the three remaining species of ''[[Cardisoma]]'', ''[[Gecarcinus ruricola]]'' and ''[[Gecarcinus quadratus|G. quadratus]]'' (all except ''[[Cardisoma carnifex|C. carnifex]]'' from the [[Americas]]). ''Cardisoma armatum'' originates from coastal regions of western [[Africa]], but it also occurs inland along some deltas (e.g. the [[Volta river]] delta), and on islands such as [[Cape Verde Islands|Cape Verde]].


==Names==
When young, these crabs typically have a blueish/violet [[carapace]], red–coloured legs, and whitish claws. This coloration usually fades as the animal grows older. They can reach a carapace size of 20&nbsp;cm across, although captive individuals rarely reach this size. Their diet consists mainly of [[fruit]], vegetation and [[carrion]]. They are known to be [[cannibalism|cannibalistic]], and will consume smaller crabs, small [[reptile]]s and [[amphibian]]s, [[mollusc]]s, [[fish]], and [[insect]]s if they can catch them. While juvenile and adult crabs spend most of their time on dry land, the females must return to the [[ocean]] to release their eggs. The eggs hatch into microscopic larvae, and later on develop into young crabs. If the young do not make landfall by the time they are fully developed they will drown.
It is sometimes referred to as the '''(African) rainbow crab''', '''(Nigerian) moon crab''', or '''patriot crab'''. Adults are sometimes labelled as "soapdish" crabs in the [[pet]] industry. This name derives from their aggressive nature as adults and when being shipped to pet stores, they are often packed in [[soap dish]]es to prevent them from killing each other. The names moon crab and soapdish crab are sometimes applied to other similar crab species, leading to frequent confusion with other colourful crabs such as the three remaining species of ''[[Cardisoma]]'', ''[[Gecarcinus ruricola]]'', and ''[[Gecarcinus quadratus|G. quadratus]]'' (all except ''[[Cardisoma carnifex|C. carnifex]]'' from the [[Americas]]).

==Distribution==
''C. armatum'' originates from coastal regions of western Africa, but it also occurs inland along some deltas (e.g. the [[Volta River]] delta), and on islands such as [[Cape Verde Islands|Cape Verde]].

==Description==
When young, these crabs typically have a blueish/violet [[carapace]], red–colored legs, and whitish claws. This coloration usually fades as the animal grows older. They can reach a carapace size of 20&nbsp;cm across, although captive individuals rarely reach this size.

==Ecology and life cycle==
Their diet consists mainly of [[fruit]], vegetation, and [[carrion]]. They are known to be [[cannibalism|cannibalistic]], and consume smaller crabs, small [[reptile]]s and [[amphibian]]s, [[mollusc]]s, [[fish]], and [[insect]]s if they can catch them. While juvenile and adult crabs spend most of their time on dry land, the females must return to the ocean to release their eggs. The eggs hatch into microscopic larvae, and later on develop into young crabs. If the young do not make landfall by the time they are fully developed, they will drown. This land crab cannot remain submerged for long periods.


==References==
==References==
* Bright, D., & C. Hogue. 1972. ''A synopsis of burrowing land crabs of the World and list of their arthropod symbionts and burrow associates.'' Contributions in Science. No. 220. [http://www.mosquitocatalog.org/pdfs/013600-0.PDF Available online (PDF)]
* Bright, D., & C. Hogue. 1972. ''A synopsis of burrowing land crabs of the World and list of their arthropod symbionts and burrow associates.'' Contributions in Science. No. 220. [https://web.archive.org/web/20101009030017/http://www.mosquitocatalog.org/files/pdfs/013600-0.pdf Available online (PDF)]
*{{cite web |url=http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=426 |title=Rainbow crab, ''Cardisoma armatum'' |author=Matt Clarke |publisher=[[Practical Fishkeeping]] |date=2005-11-14}}
*{{cite web |url=http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=426 |title=Rainbow crab, ''Cardisoma armatum'' |author=Matt Clarke |publisher=[[Practical Fishkeeping]] |date=2005-11-14 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707012442/http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/pfk/pages/show_article.php?article_id=426 |archivedate=2007-07-07 }}
*{{cite web |url=http://freewebs.com/rainbowcrab/info.html |title=''Cardisoma armatum'' |author=D. Warren |accessdate=2007-07-16}}
*{{cite web |url=http://freewebs.com/rainbowcrab/info.html |title=''Cardisoma armatum'' |author=D. Warren |accessdate=2007-07-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704125154/http://freewebs.com/rainbowcrab/info.html |archivedate=2007-07-04 }}
{{Gecarcinidae}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1423185}}


[[Category:Grapsoidea]]
[[Category:Grapsoidea]]
[[Category:Terrestrial crustaceans]]
[[Category:Terrestrial crustaceans]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1851]]
[[Category:Crustaceans described in 1851]]
[[Category:Fauna of Cape Verde]]

{{crab-stub}}

[[de:Harlekinkrabbe]]
[[fr:Cardisoma armatum]]
[[pl:Krab tęczowy]]

Latest revision as of 17:13, 1 August 2024

Cardisoma armatum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Gecarcinidae
Genus: Cardisoma
Species:
C. armatum
Binomial name
Cardisoma armatum
Herklots, 1851

Cardisoma armatum is a species of terrestrial crab.

Names

[edit]

It is sometimes referred to as the (African) rainbow crab, (Nigerian) moon crab, or patriot crab. Adults are sometimes labelled as "soapdish" crabs in the pet industry. This name derives from their aggressive nature as adults and when being shipped to pet stores, they are often packed in soap dishes to prevent them from killing each other. The names moon crab and soapdish crab are sometimes applied to other similar crab species, leading to frequent confusion with other colourful crabs such as the three remaining species of Cardisoma, Gecarcinus ruricola, and G. quadratus (all except C. carnifex from the Americas).

Distribution

[edit]

C. armatum originates from coastal regions of western Africa, but it also occurs inland along some deltas (e.g. the Volta River delta), and on islands such as Cape Verde.

Description

[edit]

When young, these crabs typically have a blueish/violet carapace, red–colored legs, and whitish claws. This coloration usually fades as the animal grows older. They can reach a carapace size of 20 cm across, although captive individuals rarely reach this size.

Ecology and life cycle

[edit]

Their diet consists mainly of fruit, vegetation, and carrion. They are known to be cannibalistic, and consume smaller crabs, small reptiles and amphibians, molluscs, fish, and insects if they can catch them. While juvenile and adult crabs spend most of their time on dry land, the females must return to the ocean to release their eggs. The eggs hatch into microscopic larvae, and later on develop into young crabs. If the young do not make landfall by the time they are fully developed, they will drown. This land crab cannot remain submerged for long periods.

References

[edit]
  • Bright, D., & C. Hogue. 1972. A synopsis of burrowing land crabs of the World and list of their arthropod symbionts and burrow associates. Contributions in Science. No. 220. Available online (PDF)
  • Matt Clarke (2005-11-14). "Rainbow crab, Cardisoma armatum". Practical Fishkeeping. Archived from the original on 2007-07-07.
  • D. Warren. "Cardisoma armatum". Archived from the original on 2007-07-04. Retrieved 2007-07-16.