Selatium brocki (De Man, 1887)

Family: Sesarmidae

Zone: The landward A. marina zone to creek, but prefers landward A. marina (Vannini et al., 1997; Cannicci et al., 1999). In Singapore, more often found on seaward line of trees (Sivasothi, 2000).

Habitat: Tree dwelling, hides in crevices and holes on trunk or under bark (Sivasothi, 2000). Strictly mangrove dependent (Cannicci et al., 1999).

Food: Algivorous, but opportunistic omnivore (Sivasothi, 2000).

Ecological notes: Strictly found on trees; avoids water at high tide; mostly nocturnal (Sivasothi, 2000). Hartnoll (1975) reports them also under stones.

Distinguishing characteristics: Carapace squarish, mottled, legs flattened, propodus is 1.5 times longer than dactylus (carapace width about 2 cm).

Geographical range: Kenya, Tanzania, Singapore, ????

References:

Cannicci, S., F. Dahdouh-Guebas and L. Montemagno, 1993. "Field Keys for Kenyan Mangrove Crabs." Museo Zoologico "La Specola", Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e Genetica dell'Università Degli Studi di Firenze, Via Romana 17, I-50125 Firenze, Italia.

Cannicci, S., S. Fratini and M. Vannini, 1999. Use of time, space and food resources in the mangrove climbing crab Selatium elongatum (Grapsidae : Sesarminae). Marine Biology 135 : 335-339.

Hartnoll, R.G., 1975. The Grapsidae and Ocypodidae (Decapoda: Brachyura) of Tanzania. J. Zool. Lond. 177:305-328.

Sivasothi, N., 2000. Niche preferences of tree-climbing crabs in Singapore mangroves. Crustaceana 73(1): 25-38.

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