Grapsus longitarsis

{{Short description|Species of crab}}'''''Grapsus longitarsis''''', also known as the long-legged rock crab, is a species of shore crab in the family Grapsidae.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Edmondson, C. H. (1959). Hawaiian Grapsidae. Occasional Papers of Bernice P. Bishop Museum.|url=https://hbs.bishopmuseum.org/pubs-online/pdf/op22-10.pdf}}</ref> It was first described in 1851 by the American zoologist James Dwight Dana.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Grapsus longitarsis Dana, 1851. World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)|url=https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=444460}}</ref> This species occurs throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Vannini, M., & Valmori, P. (1981). Research on the coast of Somalia. Italian Journal of Zoology. |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03749444.1981.10736614}}</ref> including Hawai'i, Tuamotu Archipelago, the Cook Islands, and has been recorded in regions such as Indonesia,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Long-legged Rock Crab. Cook Islands Biodiversity Database. |url=http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/species.asp?id=7363}}</ref> and the coast of Somalia.<ref name=":2" />

== Description == Grapsus longitarsis is a medium-sized crab with an adult carapace width of approximately 32–33 mm and a length of 25–29 mm.<ref name=":0" /> The species is physically distinguished from others in its genus by having lateral margins of the carapace that are nearly straight.<ref name=":1" /> The body coloration is typically pale yellow and is often marked with small reddish-brown spots.<ref name=":3" /> Its walking legs are notably elongated, which is a key characteristic of the species.<ref name=":2" /> The fingers of the claws are darker in color and feature "spooned" tips used for feeding.<ref name=":3" />

== Distribution and Habitat. == {{use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Speciesbox | image = Grapsus longitarsis 152025260.jpg | taxon = Grapsus longitarsis | authority = Dana, 1851 }}

Grapsus longitarsis is widely distributed throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region.<ref name=":2" /> The species is native to several island chains, including Hawai'i, Tuamotu Archipelago, and the Cook Islands.<ref name=":3" /> It is also commonly found in the waters around Indonesia.<ref name=":3" /> Records of the species extend as far west as the coast of Somalia in the Indian Ocean.<ref name=":2" /> This crab typically inhabits high-energy coastal environments, such as wave-exposed rocky shorelines.<ref name=":0" /> It is a benthic species usually found in the intertidal zone at depths of 0-5 meters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grapsus longitarsis Dana, 1851. Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS). |url=https://obis.org/taxon/444460}}</ref> During low tide, the crab is often observed within tidal pools'''.'''<ref name=":3" />

== References == {{Reflist}}

Category:Crustaceans described in 1825 Category:Grapsidae