Umbrella Crab Authors: Fai &Vivian Scientific name: Cryptolithodes sitchensis Common name: Umbrella crab, Sitka crab or Turtle Crab Size Range: 5 – 10 cm (2.0 – 3.9in) Identifying Features The Umbrella Crab is a species of Lithodid crustacean native to coastal regions of the northeastern Pacific Ocean, ranging from Sitka, Alaska to Point Loma, California. They have a half-moon shaped carapace extending over all of their eight walking legs and two chelipeds. The carapace can be 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) at the adult stage and has scalloped edges. This carapace ranges from neutral sandy colors to bright oranges, reds, and purples. Habital Umbrella Crabs can be found on bedrock. They live within 18 m (59 ft.) of the intertidal zone along the exposed coasts of the Pacific Ocean. Intertidal species of Lithodidae prefer habitats of cooler temperatures ranging from 0–25 °C (32–77 °F). Food Umbrella Crabs feed mostly on algae and tiny sessile organisms. Predator The major predators are otters, sea birds, octopuses and other marine animals. They have a few defenses to avoid being eaten. Their shell is their first layer of defense. While their shell may not deter the aforementioned predators, they do ward off animals that cannot crush or open them. When threatened. The best defense is the anemone: it catches bits of food off of the crab’s shell and, in return, it defends the crab from predators by stinging animals with it’s poisonous tentacles. Life cycle The Umbrella Crab reproduces sexually, using the molting cycle. There are six stages in the development of this crab similar to other crabs: Eggs, Prezoea, Zoea, Megalops, Juvenile Instar and Adult Crab. Adaptation Its distinctive shell allows it to camouflage itself into its surroundings. It is often mistaken for an old clam shell or patch or coralline algae. Photographs by D. Young References Andy Lamb and Bernard P. Hanby (2008). Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest: A photographic Andrew .Lets do some zoology!.Retrieved December 10,2014 from: http://astronomy-to-zoology.tumblr.com/post/81502745300/umbrella-crab-cryptolithodes-sitchensis-also Dave Cowles (2005). Cryptolithodes sitchensis Brandt, 1853. Retrieved December 4, 2014 from http://www.wallawalla.edu/academics/departments/biology/rosario/inverts/Arthropoda/Crustacea/Malacostraca/Eumalacostraca/Eucarida/Decapoda/Anomura/Family_Lithodidae/Cryptolithodes_sitchensis.html Lester B. Pearson College (2003). Cryptolithodes sitchensis. The Race Rocks Taxonomy. Retrieved December 4, 2014 from http://www.racerocks.com/racerock/eco/taxalab/bio2003/ cryptolithode ss /crypt olithodess.htm Nobert (2011). Weird, unique and commercially important King crab Species. ABCs of animal world. Retrieved December 10, 2014 from http://abcsofanimalworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/weird-unique-and-commercially-important.html.
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