Discoplax
Encyclopedia
Discoplax is a genus of terrestrial
crab
s. It is very closely related to the genus Cardisoma
.
Four species are currently recognised:
Terrestrial animal
Terrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land , as compared with aquatic animals, which live predominantly or entirely in the water , or amphibians, which rely on a combination of aquatic and terrestrial habitats...
crab
Crab
True crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" , or where the reduced abdomen is entirely hidden under the thorax...
s. It is very closely related to the genus Cardisoma
Cardisoma
Cardisoma is a genus of large land crabs. Three species formerly placed in this genus are now placed in Discoplax. The four species that remain in Cardisoma are found in warm coastal regions where they live in burrows...
.
Four species are currently recognised:
- Discoplax gracilipes Ng & Guinot, 2001
- Discoplax hirtipesDiscoplax hirtipesDiscoplax hirtipes is a species of terrestrial crab.-Description and behaviour:D. hirtipes can be distinguished from other members of the genus Discoplax by the smooth and distinctly inflated carapace. It is also blue or blue-brown in colour, compared to purple or purple-brown in the remaining...
(Dana, 1852) - Discoplax longipesDiscoplax longipesDiscoplax longipes is a species of terrestrial crab. It is found in karstic caves on several Pacific islands. Mating occurs in the caves, after which the females migrate to the sea to release their fertilised eggs. The genus Discoplax was for a long time synonymised with Cardisoma, but was...
A. Milne-Edwards, 1867 - Discoplax rotunda (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824)