Ryan Photographic - Varunidae - Mud, shore and stream crabs
Family Varunidae
The family Varunidae was originally included as a subfamily within the Grapsidae, however, recent DNA analysis has led to it being elevated to a full family and many species that were previously in the Grapsidae have been moved here. The family includes mud, shore and freshwater crabs.
One of the species I have photographed is the freshwater crab, Varuna litterata and, together with my friend Satish Choy, we wrote a paper about the upstream migration of the megalopae stage.
Helica crassa Tunneling mud crab
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Helica crassa (Family Varunidae) Tunneling mud crab from above. New Zealand.
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Helica crassa (Family Varunidae) Tunneling mud crab, New Zealand
Varuna litterata Megalopae
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Varuna litterata megalopae migrating on land. Wailoku, Fiji.
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Varuna litterata (Family Varunidae) megalopae migrating on land