Crustacea | Leucosiidae
Pyrhila pisum

Characteristics

The pebble crab has a hard round carapace that is approximately 1-2 cm wide. The carapace is arched in the center and has granular protrusions scattered across the branchial region and lateral margins. These crabs inhabit low-tidal, sandy mudflats with water and are active when the tide ebbs. They feed on fish, shellfish, and crab carcasses. When mating, the male uses his first pair of pereopod to hold the female from the rear, physically pairing the two crabs.

Distribution

The pebble crab can be occasionally seen on sandy beaches 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。