Lined Shore Crab

Description:

This crab can be very abundant in its range. It is the most semi-terrestrial of the shore crabs, living highest in the intertidal. Forages in and out of the water, active during the day. They spend at least half their time out of water but return periodically to pools to moisten their gills. They are osmoregulators, and can withstand hypo- and hyperosmotic conditions. It feeds on films of algae and diatoms, which it scrapes off the rocks with the tips of its chelae. May also eat small green algae Ulva and Enteromorpha, brown algae Fucus, and red Endocladia, Rhotoglossum, and Grateloupia. Occasionally eats dead animals or small intertidal invertebrates.

Habitat:

Rocks in Dana Point Marina