Paragrapsus laevis | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Malacostraca |
Order: | Decapoda |
Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
Infraorder: | Brachyura |
Family: | Varunidae |
Genus: | Paragrapsus |
Species: | P. laevis
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Binomial name | |
Paragrapsus laevis (Dana, 1851)
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Paragrapsus laevis is a species of crab found in south eastern Australia, from southern Queensland to around the South Australian border, including Tasmania.[1]
It is commonly known as the mottled shore crab.[2] Carapace is up to around 35[3] to 40mm across,[2] with two notches in each side behind the eye, and has two well defined lobes. Claws are reddish on top, whitish underneath. Paragrapsus laevis individuals are redder and a little smaller than Paragrapsus gaimardii individuals. Males have significantly large claws compared to females.[3]
It lives on tidal shores, in sheltered bays or in estuaries, but not far inland. It can be found in mangroves in burrows and under debris or rocks.[4]
Chasmagnathus laevis, Paragrapsus verreauxi are previous synonyms of Paragrapsus laevis.[1]