Ocypode ceratophthalmus,[2] the horned ghost crab[3] or horn-eyed ghost crab,[4] is a species of ghost crab. It lives in the Indo-Pacific region (except the Red Sea); from the coast of East Africa to the Philippines and from Japan to the Great Barrier Reef. They also occur in the Pacific Islands to as far east as Polynesia and Clipperton Island.[5][6] As their common name implies, O. ceratophthalmus possess eyestalks extending beyond the eyes into long points,[7] which are longer in adults, and shorter (or even absent) in juveniles. The crabs have a box-shaped body, 6–8 centimetres (2.4–3.1 in) across the carapace, with a darker markings towards the rear in the shape of an H. The outer edges of the eye-sheaths are also sharp and broadly triangular and distinctly pointing sideways in larger individuals.[4][5] O. ceratophthalmus can run at speeds of up to 2.1 metres per second (6.9 ft/s).[8]
| Ocypode ceratophthalmus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| O. ceratophthalmus, Krabi, Thailand | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Family: | Ocypodidae |
| Genus: | Ocypode |
| Species: | O. ceratophthalmus |
| Binomial name | |
| Ocypode ceratophthalmus | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The characteristic "horned" eyes of O. ceratophthalmus are not unique to the species, and it should not be confused with other ghost crabs which also exhibit "horns" on the end of their eyestalks such as O. cursor, O. gaudichaudii, O. macrocera, O. mortoni, O. rotundata, and O. saratan.[5]
Gallery
Purple O. ceratophthalmus on Kailua Beach, Hawaii
Purple O. ceratophthalmus at Kona, Hawaii
Green O. ceratophthalmus on Diego Garcia
Red O. ceratophthalmus feeding on a loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) hatchling at Gnaraloo, Western Australia
India
Dorsal view Molokai, Hawaii
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References
Further reading
- George, R. W. (April 1982). Morton, B. S.; Tsang, C. K. (eds.). "The distribution and evolution of the ghost crabs (Ocypode spp.) of Hong Kong with a description of a new species". Proceedings of the First International Marine Biological Workshop: The Marine Flora and Fauna of Hong Kong and Southern China. 1 (1). Hong Kong University Press: 185–194.
- Serène, R. (1977). "Crustacés hippidés et brachyoures des îles Séchelles". Revue de Zoologie Africaine. 91 (1): 45–68.
External links
Media related to Ocypode ceratophthalmus at Wikimedia Commons- Photos of Ocypode ceratophthalmus on Sealife Collection
