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)
-Anomurans (Infraorder Anomura)
-Squat Lobsters and Porcelain Crabs (Superfamily Galatheoidea)
-Porcelain Crabs (Family Porcellanidae)
-Genus Petrolisthes
-Petrolisthes lewisi
Petrolisthes lewisi is a member of the family of small marine crustaceans commonly known as porcelain crabs, noted for their flattened bodies, delicate appearance, and smooth, often shiny carapaces. Although they resemble true crabs, porcelain crabs are more closely related to squat lobsters and belong to the infraorder Anomura. They typically have large, broad claws (chelae) used for defense and display, while their fifth pair of legs is reduced and hidden beneath the carapace. Unlike many true crabs, most porcelain crabs are filter feeders, using feathery mouthparts (maxillipeds) to capture plankton from the water column, though some also scavenge. They inhabit rocky shores, coral reefs, and intertidal zones, often hiding under stones or living symbiotically with other marine invertebrates such as sea anemones. When threatened, they can quickly scuttle away or shed a claw to escape predators.
Petrolisthes lewisi
Diet
Primarily a filter feeder, consuming phytoplankton, zooplankton, microscopic algae, bacteria, and suspended organic particles.
Also grazes on fine detritus and organic matter deposited on rocks.
Uses its distinctive feathery mouthparts (setose third maxillipeds) to comb food particles from the water before transferring them to the mouth.
Range
Native to the tropical eastern Pacific, occurring from the Gulf of California and the Pacific coast of Mexico south through Central America to Colombia.
Found along the Pacific coast of Mexico, including Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.
Common in suitable rocky intertidal habitats.
Habitat
Inhabits rocky intertidal shores, tide pools, boulder fields, and shallow subtidal reefs.
Usually shelters beneath rocks, in crevices, or among coral rubble where wave action provides a constant flow of food-rich water.
Often occurs in areas exposed to moderate to strong surf and may be found living in groups beneath the same rock.
Size
Carapace width: 1.5–3 cm (0.6–1.2 in)
Overall leg span: Up to 6 cm (2.4 in)
Weight: Typically 2–10 g