Spider / King Crabs

Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii). Mass of moulted shells after mating aggregation, swept into piles by strong tidal current.
Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii). Mass of moulted shells after mating aggregation, swept into piles by strong tidal current. Majidae Decapoda Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii). Mass of moulted shells after mating aggregation. Majidae Decapoda mass many group together same identical similar dead death decay decompose decaying decomposing rot rotting rotten corpse cadaver carcass molt molting moult moulting molted heap heaps heaped shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield crabs crab arthropod arthropoda crustacea malacostraca decapod decapoda pleocyemata brachyura crustacean crustaceans nipper nipping nippers claw claws pinch pinched pinching pincer pincers sex reproduction mate sand sandy seabed sea-bed sea bed pile piles piled heap heaped heaps collected collection carapace molt molting molted moulted moulting moults molts |Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) in mass mating aggregation.
Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) in mass mating aggregation. Majidae Decapoda mass many group together same identical similar sex reproduction mate mating maternal copulate copulation shrimp shirmps arthropod arthropoda crustacea malacostraca decapod decapoda caridea invertebrate invertebrates crustacean crustaceans nipper nipping nippers claw claws pinch pinched pinching pincer pincers crabs crab arthropod arthropoda crustacea malacostraca decapod decapoda pleocyemata brachyura crustacean crustaceans nipper nipping nippers claw claws pinch pinched pinching pincer pincers pier piers wharf wharves wharfs dock docks jetty jetties pylon pylons pole poles support supports supporting leg legs post posts dive diver diving scuba scubadiver scuba-diver adventure tourist ecotourism eco tourism tourism adventurous discover discovery discovering tourist tourists tourism eco tourism eco-tourism ecotourism ecotourist eco-tourist eco tourist ecotourists eco-tourists holiday holidays vacation adventure discovery adventuring discover vertical |Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii). Mass of moulted shells after mating aggregation with scavanging Eleven-armed Sea Star (Coscinasterias muricata).
Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii). Mass of moulted shells after mating aggregation with scavanging Eleven-armed Sea Star (Coscinasterias muricata). Majidae Decapoda mass many group together same identical similar dead death decay decompose decaying decomposing rot rotting rotten corpse cadaver carcass molt molting moult moulting molted heap heaps heaped shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield crabs crab arthropod arthropoda crustacea malacostraca decapod decapoda pleocyemata brachyura crustacean crustaceans nipper nipping nippers claw claws pinch pinched pinching pincer pincers sex reproduction mate sand sandy seabed sea-bed sea bed pile piles piled heap heaped heaps collected collection vertical molt molting molted moulted moulting moults molts |Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii). Mass of moulted shells after mating aggregation with dead Globefish (Diodon nichthemerus) swept into piles by strong tidal current.
Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii). Mass of moulted shells after mating aggregation with dead Globefish (Diodon nichthemerus) swept into piles by strong tidal current. Majidae Decapoda mass many group together same identical similar dead death decay decompose decaying decomposing rot rotting rotten corpse cadaver carcass molt molting moult moulting molted heap heaps heaped shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield crabs crab arthropod arthropoda crustacea malacostraca decapod decapoda pleocyemata brachyura crustacean crustaceans nipper nipping nippers claw claws pinch pinched pinching pincer pincers sex reproduction mate sand sandy seabed sea-bed sea bed pile piles piled heap heaped heaps collected collection carapace puffer fish pufferfish puffer-fish toadfish toad-fish toad molt molting molted moulted moulting moults molts sand sandy sandflat seabed sea bed sea-bed seafloor sea-floor floor |Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Spider Crab (Leptomithrax gaimardii) Large adult climbing over a mound of moulted shells after mating aggregation.
Spider Crab (Leptomithrax gaimardii) Large adult climbing over a mound of moulted shells after mating aggregation. Majidae Decapoda mass many group together same identical similar dead death decay decompose decaying decomposing rot rotting rotten corpse cadaver carcass molt molting moult moulting molted heap heaps heaped shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield crabs crab arthropod arthropoda crustacea malacostraca decapod decapoda pleocyemata brachyura crustacean crustaceans nipper nipping nippers claw claws pinch pinched pinching pincer pincers sex reproduction mate sand sandy seabed sea-bed sea bed pile piles piled heap heaped heaps collected collection carapace alive living orange spidercrab spider-crab spidercrabs spider-crabs curious curiousity curios curiosity look looking inspect inspecting gaze gazing inquisitive inquiring enquiring interested questioning nosy prying carapace carapaces molt molting molted moulted moulting moults molts |Spider Crab (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Triangle Crab (Trigonoplax unguiformis longirostris)
Triangle Crab (Trigonoplax unguiformis longirostris) strange unusual weird bizarre bizzare bizzarre ugly freak freaky camouflage camoflage camouflaged camoflaged hidden hiding hide cryptic single one alone lonely isolated individual crustacean Crustaceans |Triangle Crab (Trigonoplax unguiformis longirostris)

Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) Male in threat posture while holding female during mating session.
Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) Male in threat posture while holding female during mating session. sex reproduction mate mating maternal copulate copulation two pair couple together duo paired partner partners twin partnership crustacean shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield camouflage camoflage camouflaged camoflaged hidden hiding hide cryptic catch catching collect collecting caught capture capturing hunt hunting hunter gather gathering hold grab grabbing grip gripping pincer pincers nip nipper nippers claw claws Crustaceans |Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) Male in threat posture while holding female during mating session.
Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) Male in threat posture while holding female during mating session. sex reproduction mate mating maternal copulate copulation two pair couple together duo paired partner partners twin partnership crustacean shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield camouflage camoflage camouflaged camoflaged hidden hiding hide cryptic catch catching collect collecting caught capture capturing hunt hunting hunter gather gathering hold grab grabbing grip gripping pincer pincers nip nipper nippers claw claws Crustaceans |Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii). Mass of moulted shells after mating aggregation.
Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii). Mass of moulted shells after mating aggregation. Majidae Decapoda mass many group together same identical similar dead death decay decompose decaying decomposing rot rotting rotten corpse cadaver carcass molt molting moult moulting molted heap heaps heaped shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield crabs crab arthropod arthropoda crustacea malacostraca decapod decapoda pleocyemata brachyura crustacean crustaceans nipper nipping nippers claw claws pinch pinched pinching pincer pincers sex reproduction mate sand sandy seabed sea-bed sea bed pile piles piled heap heaped heaps collected collection carapace molt molting molted moulted moulting moults molts sand sandy sandflat seabed sea bed sea-bed seafloor sea-floor floor |Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Researcher with moulted shells of Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) after mating aggregation.
Researcher with moulted shells of Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) after mating aggregation. Majidae Decapoda mass many group together same identical similar dead death decay decompose decaying decomposing rot rotting rotten corpse cadaver carcass molt molting moult moulting molted heap heaps heaped shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield crabs crab arthropod arthropoda crustacea malacostraca decapod decapoda pleocyemata brachyura crustacean crustaceans nipper nipping nippers claw claws pinch pinched pinching pincer pincers sex reproduction mate sand sandy seabed sea-bed sea bed pile piles piled heap heaped heaps collected collection carapace alive living orange spidercrab spider-crab spidercrabs spider-crabs research researcher researching study studying studious inspect inspecting science scientist scientists information gathering gather measure measuring measured data collect collecting collection vertical clipboard clip-board camera cameras photo photos photographer photographers photograph photographs photography photographed digital film filmed shoot shooting dive diver diving adventure adventurous discover discovery discovering molt molting molted moulted moulting moults molts |Researcher with moulted shells of Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii). Mass of moulted shells after mating aggregation with diver.
Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii). Mass of moulted shells after mating aggregation with diver. Majidae Decapoda mass many group together same identical similar dead death decay decompose decaying decomposing rot rotting rotten corpse cadaver carcass molt molting moult moulting molted heap heaps heaped shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield crabs crab arthropod arthropoda crustacea malacostraca decapod decapoda pleocyemata brachyura crustacean crustaceans nipper nipping nippers claw claws pinch pinched pinching pincer pincers sex reproduction mate sand sandy seabed sea-bed sea bed pile piles piled heap heaped heaps collected collection dive diver diving adventure tourist ecotourism eco tourism tourism adventurous discover discovery discovering camera cameras photo photos photographer photographers photograph photographs photography photographed digital film filmed shoot shooting video videographer vertical molt molting molted moulted moulting moults molts |Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Decorator Crab (Hyastenus elatus) covered in sponge growth sheltering at base of pier pylon.
Decorator Crab (Hyastenus elatus) covered in sponge growth sheltering at base of pier pylon. single one alone lonely isolated individual crustacean shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield camouflage camoflage camouflaged camoflaged hidden hiding hide cryptic colour color colourful colorful vibrant vibrent vibrint arthropoda spider spidercrab Crustaceans |Decorator Crab (Hyastenus elatus)

Spider Crab (Leptomithrax gaimardii) Large adult foraging over sandy sea bed.
Spider Crab (Leptomithrax gaimardii) Large adult foraging over sandy sea bed. Majidae Decapoda single one alone lonely isolated individual crabs crab arthropod arthropoda crustacea malacostraca decapod decapoda pleocyemata brachyura crustacean crustaceans nipper nipping nippers claw claws pinch pinched pinching pincer pincers shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield carapace orange sand sandflat sand-flat seabed sea-bed big bigger huge large massive giant gigantic oversize size defend defence defending defensive weapon weapons armed attack attacking attacker attacked aggressive aggression aggressor fight fighter fighting curious curiousity curios curiosity look looking inspect inspecting gaze gazing inquisitive inquiring enquiring interested questioning nosy prying |Spider Crab (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Decorator Crab (Hyastenus elatus) covered in sponge growth sheltering at base of pier pylon.
Decorator Crab (Hyastenus elatus) covered in sponge growth sheltering at base of pier pylon. single one alone lonely isolated individual crustacean shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield camouflage camoflage camouflaged camoflaged hidden hiding hide cryptic colour color colourful colorful vibrant vibrent vibrint arthropoda vertical spider spidercrab Crustaceans |Decorator Crab (Hyastenus elatus)

Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) Male holding female during mating session.
Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) Male holding female during mating session. sex reproduction mate mating maternal copulate copulation two pair couple together duo paired partner partners twin partnership crustacean shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield camouflage camoflage camouflaged camoflaged hidden hiding hide cryptic catch catching collect collecting caught capture capturing hunt hunting hunter gather gathering hold grab grabbing grip gripping pincer pincers nip nipper nippers claw claws vertical Crustaceans |Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Spider Crab (Leptomithrax gaimardii) portrait.
Spider Crab (Leptomithrax gaimardii) portrait. single one alone lonely isolated individual crustacean shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield crustacean crustaceans stalk eye mouth plate plates shell Crustaceans |Spider Crab (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii). Mass of moulted shells after mating aggregation.
Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii). Mass of moulted shells after mating aggregation. Majidae Decapoda mass many group together same identical similar dead death decay decompose decaying decomposing rot rotting rotten corpse cadaver carcass molt molting moult moulting molted heap heaps heaped shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield crabs crab arthropod arthropoda crustacea malacostraca decapod decapoda pleocyemata brachyura crustacean crustaceans nipper nipping nippers claw claws pinch pinched pinching pincer pincers sex reproduction mate sand sandy seabed sea-bed sea bed pile piles piled heap heaped heaps collected collection carapace molt molting molted moulted moulting moults molts sand sandy sandflat seabed sea bed sea-bed seafloor sea-floor floor |Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Researcher counting moulted shells of Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) after mating aggregation.
Researcher counting moulted shells of Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) after mating aggregation. Majidae Decapoda mass many group together same identical similar dead death decay decompose decaying decomposing rot rotting rotten corpse cadaver carcass molt molting moult moulting molted heap heaps heaped shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield crabs crab arthropod arthropoda crustacea malacostraca decapod decapoda pleocyemata brachyura crustacean crustaceans nipper nipping nippers claw claws pinch pinched pinching pincer pincers sex reproduction mate sand sandy seabed sea-bed sea bed pile piles piled heap heaped heaps collected collection carapace alive living orange spidercrab spider-crab spidercrabs spider-crabs research researcher researching study studying studious inspect inspecting science scientist scientists information gathering gather measure measuring measured data collect collecting collection vertical clipboard clip-board dive diver diving adventure adventurous discover discovery discovering molt molting molted moulted moulting moults molts |Researcher counting moulted shells of Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii)

Gloomy Octopus (Octopus tetricus) emerging from it's den which has been covered by moult shells of Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) left after mating aggregation.
Gloomy Octopus (Octopus tetricus) emerging from it's den which has been covered by moult shells of Spider Crabs (Leptomithrax gaimardii) left after mating aggregation. Octopodidae Octopus Majidae Decapoda mass many group together same identical similar dead death decay decompose decaying decomposing rot rotting rotten corpse cadaver carcass molt molting moult moulting molted heap heaps heaped shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield crabs crab arthropod arthropoda crustacea malacostraca decapod decapoda pleocyemata brachyura crustacean crustaceans nipper nipping nippers claw claws pinch pinched pinching pincer pincers sex reproduction mate sand sandy seabed sea-bed sea bed pile piles piled heap heaped heaps collected collection carapace alive living orange spidercrab spider-crab spidercrabs spider-crabs curious curiousity curios curiosity look looking inspect inspecting gaze gazing inquisitive inquiring enquiring interested questioning nosy prying carapace carapaces molt molting molted moulted moulting moults molts cephalopod cephalopods tentacles tenticles sucker suckers soft delicate fragile arm arms jet propulsion invertebrate invertebrates eye eyes home house shelter sheltered safe safety secure security secured sheltering nest |Gloomy Octopus (Octopus tetricus)

Spider Crab (Leptomithrax gaimardii) Large adult climbing over a mound of moulted shells after mating aggregation.
Spider Crab (Leptomithrax gaimardii) Large adult climbing over a mound of moulted shells after mating aggregation. Majidae Decapoda mass many group together same identical similar dead death decay decompose decaying decomposing rot rotting rotten corpse cadaver carcass molt molting moult moulting molted heap heaps heaped shell armor armour armoured armored protect protected protection hard sheild shield crabs crab arthropod arthropoda crustacea malacostraca decapod decapoda pleocyemata brachyura crustacean crustaceans nipper nipping nippers claw claws pinch pinched pinching pincer pincers sex reproduction mate sand sandy seabed sea-bed sea bed pile piles piled heap heaped heaps collected collection carapace alive living orange spidercrab spider-crab spidercrabs spider-crabs carapace carapaces molt molting molted moulted moulting moults molts |Spider Crab (Leptomithrax gaimardii)