Ethusa mascarone explained

Ethusa mascarone is a species of crabs in the family Ethusidae.^{[1] [2]}

Description

The cephalothorax of Ethusa mascarone is almost rectangular, it can reach a length of and a width of . The body color is gray-brown, with brown lines on the carapace and transverse striae on the abdomen. Chelipeds and legs are lighter and white speckled.^[3]

The front pairs of legs are long, but the hind legs are shorter and are used to carry on the back a variety of objects and organisms, especially valves of bivalves, by which these crabs camouflage and protect themselves. It has been described as a decorator crab despite not belonging to the superfamily Majoidea.^[4]

They mainly feed on small organisms and decaying flesh of dead animals.^[5]

Distribution

This species is present in the Mediterranean Sea.^{[6] [7]}

Habitat

These crabs live on sandy substrate and muddy bottom, from a few meters up to 75 m deep.^[5]

Behavior

Under hypoxic conditions, Ethusa mascarone has been observed to discard its objects of camouflage "to either increase mobility and/or reduce oxygen demand".^[4]

References

• Türkay, M. (2001). Decapoda, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 284–292

External links

• Natura Mediterraneo

Notes and References

1. http://www.eol.org/pages/312053/overview Encyclopedia of life
2. https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=98332 ITIS
3. http://tegnue.chioggia.org/wikitegnue/index.php?title=Ethusa_mascarone Tegnue.chioggia
4. Book: Riedel . Bettina . Diaz . Robert . Rosenberg . Rutger . Stachowitsch . Michael . March 2016 . Solan . Martin . Whiteley . Nia . Stressors in the Marine Environment: Physiological and ecological responses; societal implications . Oxford University Press . 182 . Chapter 10: The ecological consequences of marine hypoxia: from behavioural to ecosystem responses . https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298791872_The_ecological_consequences_of_marine_hypoxia_from_behavioural_to_ecosystem_responses . 9780198718826 . December 27, 2021.
5. http://www.podvodni.hr/zivot-jadrana/crustacea/decapoda/dorippidae/900-ethusa-mascarone Podvodni
6. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=107283 WoRMS
7. http://www.sealifebase.org/Country/CountryList.php?ID=26880&GenusName=Ethusa&SpeciesName=mascarone Sealife Base