Mictyris platycheles

Mictyris platycheles
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Mictyridae
Genus: Mictyris
Species: M. platycheles
Binomial name
Mictyris platycheles
H. Milne-Edwards, 1852 [1]

Mictyris platycheles is a species of crab found on mudflats on the east coast of Australia from Tasmania and Victoria to Queensland.[2] They live in large groups, so are commonly called soldier crabs.[3] Adults are 15 mm (0.59 in) across and similarly tall, and are coloured blue to blue-grey.[3] Mictyris platycheles gets its food by picking up balls of sands and putting it in its mouth, which filters out the food particles (detritus).

References

  1. ↑ Peter Davie (2010). "Mictyris platycheles H. Milne Edwards, 1852". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Crabs". Woodbridge Marine Discovery Centre. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Soldier Crab, Mictyris platycheles". Museum Victoria. Retrieved July 22, 2011.


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