Scopimera globosa (rice crab) - Scopimera globosa

Japanese: コメツキガニ(米搗蟹) - コメツキガニ（英語表記）Scopimera globosa

This crab (illustration) of the Ocypodidae family of Crustacea lives in schools on the tidal flats of inland bays. Its carapace is about 1 cm wide and rectangular with a narrow front, but because the carapace is raised it appears almost spherical. It has a complex pattern, but overall it is a familiar sandy color with a slight purple tint, which provides camouflage on the tidal flats. When the tide goes out, it emerges from its burrow, scoops up sand and mud with its claws, puts it in its mouth, eats only the organic matter, and then balls up the sand and mud and discards it. While foraging, it repeatedly braces its walking legs and slowly raises both claws, then suddenly lowers them.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

内湾の干潟に群れをなしてすむ甲殻綱スナガニ科のカニ（イラスト）。甲幅1cmほどで，前方が狭い四角形であるが，甲面が盛り上がっているためにほとんど球形に見える。複雑な模様があるが，全体としてやや紫色を帯びたじみな砂色で，干潟ではカムフラージュ効果がある。潮が引くと巣穴から出て，砂泥をはさみですくって口に入れ，有機物だけを食べて砂泥を丸めて捨てる。採餌の間には，歩脚を踏んばって両方のはさみをゆっくりと上げ，その後急に下げる動作を繰り返す。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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