More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Crustaceans of Zihuatanejo
SUBPHYLUM CRUSTACEA
-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)
-Crustaceans (Subphylum Crustacea)
-Typical Crustaceans (Superclass Multicrustacea)
-Malacostracans (Class Malacostraca)
-Decapods, Isopods, and Allies (Subclass Eumalacostraca)
-Decapods and Krill (Superorder Eucarida)
-Decapods (Order Decapoda)
-Crabs, Lobsters, Shrimps, and Allies (Suborder Pleocyemata)
-True Crabs (Infraorder Brachyura)
-Eubrachyuran Crabs (Zoosection Eubrachyura)
-Heterotrematan Crabs (Zoosubsection Heterotremata)
-Superfamily Dairoidea
-Family Dairidae
-Genus Daira
-Daira americana
The Daira americana in the eastern Pacific off Mexico occurs along the tropical Pacific coastline, including rocky reefs and coral communities of the Gulf of California and the mainland Pacific coast. In this region it inhabits shallow subtidal zones, typically sheltering among coral rubble, under rocks, and within reef crevices where surge and wave action are moderate. In Mexican Pacific waters, Daira americana is mainly nocturnal, remaining concealed during the day and emerging at night to forage. It is an omnivorous reef scavenger and grazer, feeding on algae, small invertebrates, and organic detritus scraped from hard surfaces.
Daira americana
Daira americana
Diet
Primarily algae, encrusting coralline algae, sponges, bryozoans, and other organisms growing on rocks and coral.
Also feeds on detritus and small sessile invertebrates.
Uses its strong claws to scrape food from hard surfaces while foraging on reefs and rocky substrates.
Range
Found in the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean, from the Gulf of California and the Pacific coast of Mexico south through Central America to Colombia, the Galápagos Islands, and northern Peru.
Common on rocky reefs and coral communities along the Pacific coast of Mexico, including the Zihuatanejo region of Guerrero.
Habitat
Inhabits rocky reefs, coral reefs, tide pools, and rocky coastal areas from the intertidal zone to depths of about 40 m (130 ft).
Usually shelters beneath rocks, inside crevices, or among coral heads during the day, becoming more active at night.
Its rough, tuberculate shell provides excellent camouflage against corals and encrusting algae.
Size
Carapace width: Up to 10 cm (4.0 in)
Carapace length: Up to 8 cm (3.1 in)
Weight: Up to approximately 250 g (8.8 oz)