Revision of family Ocypodidae (Brachyura: Crustacea) from the Egyptian Red Sea and Mediterranean Coasts

Nasef M.,Khalifa A.,El-Sayed M.,Sarhan M.,khalek M.

doi:10.21608/eajbsz.2016.13459

Abstract

The present study revised taxonomy and occurrence of the ghost crabs (genus Ocypode) and fiddler crabs (genus Uca), belonging to family Ocypodidae collected from different localities of the Egyptian Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea coasts. A total of six species were collected, comprised three species of ghost crabs, represented by Ocypode cordimanus, O. cursor, and O. saratan and three species of fiddler crabs, including Uca albimana, U. inversa, and U. tetragonon. With the exception of Ocypode cursor which was only recorded from the Mediterranean Sea, all other five species were collected from the Red Sea. All species of Ocypode construct permanent burrows in the supralittoral sandy shores, while Uca species live in permanent burrows in the upper intertidal zone of mud-flats and sandy mud areas around and within mangrove swamps only. The present results showed also that, the fiddler crab, Uca albimana, was recorded for the first time from South Sinai mangroves at Nabq (Gulf of Aqaba) and Ras Mohammed (northern Red Sea), increased ocypodid fauna at the most northern portions of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aqaba. These results denote to the northward distribution of this species and recommend re-investigating all Uca species collected previously from South Sinai, particularly U. inversa, deposited in all National Museum of Natural History of the world. Notes on habitats, color, size and geographical distribution, in addition to keys for identification were also given.

Highlights

Members of ocypodids are frequently occurring in the coastal intertidal and supralittoral zones of tropical, subtropical and to somewhat temperate regions around the world (Guinot, 1967; Holthuis, 1958, 1975; Lewinsohn, 1977)
The present results indicate to successful occurrence and distribution of ocypodids along the Egyptian Red Sea and Mediterranean coasts
Due to fast extensive areas of coral reefs and mangrove swamps surrounded by characteristic mud flats, in addition to sandy and sandy mud shores at the Red Sea, which provide ideal and available habitats for most ocypodids, species of genus Uca, 5 species were recorded, compared with only one species (Ocypode cursor) from the Mediterranean Sea

Summary

Introduction

Members of ocypodids are frequently occurring in the coastal intertidal and supralittoral zones of tropical, subtropical and to somewhat temperate regions around the world (Guinot, 1967; Holthuis, 1958, 1975; Lewinsohn, 1977). They are characterized by well-defined wide orbits, occupied large size of front, with long stalked eyes, can move freely upper and lower in its orbits; they called the ghost or stalked- eyed crabs. The majority species of this super family occurs in sand or sandy mud habitats, as well as associated with mangroves, constructed permanent or temporarily burrows, being prominent during breeding season and reach more than 50 cm or more during winter (Fishelson, 1971; Por et al, 1977; Vine, 1986; Jones et al 1987; Sallam, 1993, 2005; El-Sayed, 1996 a &b, 2003; Hellal et al, 1997; Fouda et al, 2002)

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