Crustacea | Macrophthalmidae
Macrophthalmus abbreviatus

Characteristics

The sentinel crab has a rectangular carapace and often hides in muddy or sandy flats with shallow water. It has two same-sized brown chelae with fine yellow edges resembling a mace. Their burrow opening is flat and covered in shallow water, often making it difficult be found. When it is sunny, these crabs can be seen stretching their joints and standing still on the beach, basking in the sun.

Distribution

The shortened sentinel crab can be seen in mudflats with water at Gaomei Wetlands.

Source(s):

• (圖書) 李榮祥，台灣賞蟹情報，台北，2008。
• (圖書) 林惠真，高美濕地生物資源，台中，1998。
• (圖書) 林惠真、宋文汀、蘇珊慧，台中縣海岸溼地生態教室，台中，2003。
• (圖書) 林惠真、曾于芳，話說高美，台中，2014年。
• (圖書) 林惠真，走入海岸線，台北，2015。