Cyclocoeloma is a genus of crabs in the family Majidae, containing the single species Cyclocoeloma tuberculata.

Cyclocoeloma
Cyclocoeloma tuberculata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Majidae
Genus: Cyclocoeloma
Species:
C. tuberculata
Binomial name
Cyclocoeloma tuberculata
Miers, 1880

Description

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Cyclocoeloma tuberculata is a small size spider crab, its carapace reach an average length of 45mm from the rostral area to posterior tip.[1] The back side of the carapace is rounded but the rostral area is going relatively far ahead and looks like a head with lateral position of the eyes. However, it's quite difficult to observe the carapace's shape on a living animal because it's covered with anemones. The four ambulacra, when not too much decorated, are creamy colors with brown bands. In the majids, the decoration is fixed on the carapace and legs via hooked hairs.[2] The claws are quite small and are also used to decorate themselves. The reason they cover their body is to camouflage themselves from potential predators, especially during the day; C. tuberculata fixes sea anemones of the family Discosomatidae to its carapace, and soft corals of the family Xeniidae to its legs.[3]

Distribution

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Cyclocoeloma tuberculata is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the central Indo-Pacific region.[3]

References

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  1. ^ J.C . de n Harto g , "Associated occurrence of Cyclocoeloma tuberculata and species of Discosomatidae, ZOOLOCISCH E MEDEDELINGE,1990
  2. ^ D Jones & G Morgan, "A field guide to crustaceas of Australian waters", Western Australian Museum, 2002
  3. ^ a b J. C. den Hartog (1990). "Associated occurrence of Cyclocoeloma tuberculata Miers, 1880 (Decapoda: Majidae) and species of Discosomatidae (Anthozoa: Corallimorpharia)" (PDF). Zoologische Mededelingen. 64 (12): 161–168.
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