Abstract
Fiddler crabs are one of the most notable animal groups in Brazilian estuarine environments, due to their high density and characteristic waving of males. An illustrated key to the ten species recorded as far in the country is provided using only clearly visible characters of males. Furthermore, additional recognition characters, information about geographic distribution and biology of each species are presented. Most examined crabs were collected in Guaratuba Bay, southern Brazil.
Highlights
Studies on fiddler crabs began more than 300 years ago, certainly because the observers were attracted to the immense claw of males that were tirelessly waving in a typical movement and rhythm
Ten species of fiddler crabs are known from the Brazilian Atlantic coast (Melo 1996), with the newest species described more than 30 years ago by von Hagen (1987)
The aim of this paper is to present an illustrated identification key for the species of fiddler crabs occurring at the Brazilian Atlantic coast in order to aid undergraduate students and early researchers
Summary
Studies on fiddler crabs began more than 300 years ago, certainly because the observers were attracted to the immense claw of males that were tirelessly waving in a typical movement and rhythm. Fiddler crabs are semi-terrestrial decapod crustaceans and inhabit shaded substrates of mangrove forest or sunny tidal flats adjacent to it. During high tides they hide in individual burrows that are the center of a fiddler crab life (Crane 1975). Ten species of fiddler crabs are known from the Brazilian Atlantic coast (Melo 1996), with the newest species described more than 30 years ago by von Hagen (1987).
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