Camposcia retusa, known commonly as the velcro crab,[1] spider decorator crab, or harlequin crab, is a species of marine crustacea in the family Inachidae. It is known for attaching living sponges and corals to itself, which camouflage it.

Camposcia retusa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Class:
Order:
Superfamily:
Family:
Genus:
Camposcia
Species:
C. retusa
Binomial name
Camposcia retusa
(Latreille, 1829)

The velcro crab is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-West Pacific area, including the Red Sea.[2]

Description edit

This crab has a shell size of 3 cm and with the legs it can reach 10 cm.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ "Velcro Crab Camposcia retusa". Wild Fact Sheets. Retrieved 4 September 2022.
  2. ^ "Facts about Spider Decorator Crab (Camposcia retusa) - Encyclopedia of Life". Eol.org. Retrieved 2013-09-09.
  3. ^ "DORIS - FFESSM - Biologie et plongée - Faune et flore sous-marines et dulcicoles". Doris.ffessm.fr. Retrieved 2013-09-09.

External links edit