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Cardisoma guanhumiblue land crab

By Samuel Wedes

Geographic Range

Cardisoma guanhumi is found along the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea throughout the southeastern United States, Central America, the northern tip of South America, and parts of the Caribbean Islands. (anonymous, 2003; Hill, 2001)

Habitat

Cardisoma guanhumi lives within several hundred meters of the shore, particularly along estuaries and river banks. It burrows in dense shrubbery, mud, or coastal sand above the tide line. Burrows can extend up to six feet underground, and contain small pools of water at the bottom. Cardisoma guanhumi shares its burrow with insects and other small arthropods. The atmospheres within such burrows typically have very high carbon dioxide concentrations because they are often sealed with mud. (Burggren and McMahon, 1988; Hill, 2001; Pinder and Smits, 1993)

  • Aquatic Biomes
  • rivers and streams
  • temporary pools
  • coastal
  • Range elevation
    N/A to N/A m
    to ft
  • Average elevation
    Generally remains at sea level. m
    ft
  • Range depth
    N/A to N/A m
    to ft
  • Average depth
    Generally remains at sea level. m
    ft

Physical Description

Cardisoma guanhumi grows roughly 127 mm wide and 102 mm long, weighing 400 g on average, though males are generally larger than females. As a juvenile, it is typically tan or brown in color with orange legs. As an adult, its coloring ranges from blue to violet, though some females are white or ashy gray. Its body, protected by a smooth carapace, consists of a cephalothorax and abdomen. Connected to its cephalothorax are five pairs of biramous appendages covered with tactile setae, each of which are sturdy and longer than the width of the cephalothorax. At its front are two pairs of antennae and two pincers, one larger than the other. The larger pincer in males can reach 300 mm in length. The difference in pincer size notwithstanding, C. guanhumi is bilaterally symmetric. (Burggren and McMahon, 1988; Hill, 2001; Lloyd, 2001)

  • Sexual Dimorphism
  • male larger
  • sexes colored or patterned differently
  • male more colorful
  • Average mass
    400 g
    14.10 oz
  • Range length
    90 to 110 mm
    3.54 to 4.33 in
  • Average length
    102 mm
    4.02 in
  • Range wingspan
    N/A to N/A mm
    to in
  • Average wingspan
    N/A mm
    in
  • Range basal metabolic rate
    330.307 micromole oxygen/hour to 388.171 micromole oxygen/hour. Note: could not find information expressed in cm3.O2/g/hr
  • Average basal metabolic rate
    359.239 micromole oxygen/hour. Note: could not find information expressed in cm3.O2/g/hr

Development

Cardisoma guanhumi has a complex life cycle that begins during the rainy season (which varies by latitude) when females spawn their eggs into the ocean, strictly coinciding with the lunar cycle. Once hatched C. guanhumi molts through five larval periods before it undergoes metamorphosis into a megalops, the stage when the appendages first appear. The nest metamorphosis produces the juvenile crab, which closely resembles the adult form. Each metamorphosis is accompanied by a molting of the cuticle. The following molt, named the puberty molt, precedes full sexual maturation. Molting regulates the life cycle of C. guanhumi. Generally, C.guanhumi molts 60 times during its lifespan, compared to 20 times, which is typical of other crab species. After achieving sexual maturation, C. guanhumi becomes primarily terrestrial, returning to the ocean only to spawn and begin the life cycle once again. (Burggren and McMahon, 1988)

Reproduction

The reproductive cycle of C. guanhumi is heavily dependent on weather and the lunar cycle. At the beginning of the rainy season (typically late spring, but varies by latitude), females begin to actively search for a mate while migrating from their burrow to the shore. Major migrations take place prior to full moons; minor ones precede new moons. While males can copulate as much as they wish between molts, females can only copulate several times. (Burggren and McMahon, 1988; Lloyd, 2001)

Cardisoma guanhumi reaches sexual maturity at roughly four years of age. Mating begins during the rainy season when females migrate to the shore--particularly before a full moon and (to a far lesser extent) before a new moon. In preparation for their migrations, females gain substantial weight. Males actively court females and in response, females emit pheromones as well as tactile and auditory signals. Copulation typically takes place outside of burrows, and fertilization is internal. Following copulation, females carry their eggs (which can number anywhere between 20,000 and 1,200,000) for approximately two weeks before spawning them into the ocean. (Burggren and McMahon, 1988; Hill, 2001; Lloyd, 2001)

  • Breeding interval
    Cardisoma guanhumi breeds once a year.
  • Breeding season
    Spring to late summer, though varies by latitude.
  • Range number of offspring
    20000 to 1200000
  • Average number of offspring
    525000
  • Average gestation period
    2 weeks
  • Average time to independence
    2 weeks
  • Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
    4 years
  • Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
    4 years

After fertilization, females carry their eggs on their backs for approximately two weeks. At this point, the eggs begin to hatch, and she shakes them off into the ocean. In spite of its evolution toward terrestriality, C. guanhumi is still heavily dependent on the ocean for at least part of the life. (Burggren and McMahon, 1988; Hill, 2001)

  • Parental Investment
  • pre-fertilization
    • provisioning
  • pre-hatching/birth
    • protecting
      • female

Lifespan/Longevity

Many giant land crabs do not survive the larval stage. Those who reach adulthood achieve sexual maturity in approximately four years. Unfortunately, there is not much further data available regarding the lifespan of C. guanhumi. However, biologists hypothesize that the lifespan of a species of land crab is inversely proportional to its growth rate. In other words, the faster they grow, the shorter they live, and vice versa. From this, it is probable that C. guanhumi has a relatively longer lifespan than other land crabs, as it grows more slowly and molts three times as much (averaging 60 molts per lifetime as opposed to 20). In fact, the largest female C. guanhumi kept in captivity lived 13 years. Albeit biologists admonish against extrapolating laboratory findings to a species' actual environment, I have given some rough estimates of lifespan below based on given data regarding the lifespans of C. guanhumi and other land crabs. (Burggren and McMahon, 1988)

  • Range lifespan
    Status: captivity
    13 (high) years
  • Average lifespan
    Status: wild
    11 years
  • Average lifespan
    Status: captivity
    11 years

Behavior

Cardisoma guanhumi is not a social species, spending most of its time in its burrow when not foraging or migrating to mate and spawn. Burrows range from one to eighteen centimeters in width, extending up to six feet into the ground. At the bottom of each burrow are one to two liters of water. In particularly abundant habitats, there can be up to 7,500 burrows per acre. Cardisoma guanhumi fiercely defends its burrow, and competition for the best burrow location often results in migration away from the shore for the losing competitor. Cardisoma guanhumi typically forages at dawn and dusk, its peak activity time. Cardisoma guanhumi stays within several square meters of its burrow, except when females migrate to the ocean to release their offspring. Midday temperatures keep C. guanhumi burrowed throughout the day. (Hill, 2001)

  • Average territory size
    400 cm^2

Communication and Perception

Cardisoma guanhumi communicates in various ways, but mainly with visual, auditory, and chemical signals. To attract mates, females release pheromones. To orient itself, C. guanhumi depends on polarized light or the light from the horizon at dawn or dusk. It also uses the setae on its appendages for tactile purposes. It is heavily sensitive to vibrations. (Burggren and McMahon, 1988; Hill, 2001)

Food Habits

Cardisoma guanhumi is an omnivore. Although it prefers leaves, fruits, and grasses, C. guanhumi also feeds on insects, carrion, and feces. To forage it typically does not stray far from its burrow and uses light and sound to find food. After foraging, it carries its food in its claws back to its burrow, eats, and saves whatever it does not finish for later. (Hill, 2001)

  • Animal Foods
  • carrion
  • insects
  • terrestrial non-insect arthropods
  • Plant Foods
  • leaves
  • fruit

Predation

Due to their size, C. guanhumi is not heavily preyed on. However, it sometimes falls prey to large birds, mammals, and other C. guanhumi. Humans are the largest threat with respect to predation, harvesting giant land crabs in massive quantities for food. Fortunately, it is fairly safe in its burrow from predation. Hence, burrowing not only provides C. guanhumi with shelter, but also protects it from predation. In fact, the absence of a burrow, in addition to physical vulnerability and other factors, explains the high mortality rates of C. guanhumi during the larval stage. (Burggren and McMahon, 1988)

Ecosystem Roles

Due to the moist atmosphere within its burrow, C. guanhumi provides a myriad of arthropods with habitats. These arthropods live on its body, but do not seem to harm it, primarily feeding off of left over debris from previous C. guanhumi meals. Because the food habits of C. guanhumi are so eclectic, its effect on its prey populations are, if anything, trivial. However, through preferential feeding, C. guanhumi can alter the compositions of various species of plants by choosing to eat certain plants and seeds over others. (Burggren and McMahon, 1988)

  • Ecosystem Impact
  • disperses seeds
  • creates habitat
Species Used as Host
  • N/A
Mutualist Species
  • N/A
Commensal/Parasitic Species

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Cardisoma guanhumi is a significant source of food in various parts of the Caribbean, particularly in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas. Harvesters have been known in Venezuela to catch as many as 400 giant land crabs per night. Sold at $30.00 (US) per dozen, this amounts to $1,000.00 per day per harvester in giant land crab revenues. ("Blue Land Crabs Draft Rule Review", 2002; Hill, 2001)

  • Positive Impacts
  • food

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

While the adverse affects on humans of C. guanhumi are minimal, it is sometimes deemed a garden pest for digging burrows in lawns and crop fields. In addition, it can occasionally cause ulcers and lesions to those who eat it when it has previously consumed poisonous fruit. Lastly, the pool at the bottom of the burrow provides a breeding ground for mosquitos that may potentially vector diseases such as malaria and subperiodic filariasis. (Burggren and McMahon, 1988; Hill, 2001; Lloyd, 2001)

  • Negative Impacts
  • crop pest

Conservation Status

Although C. guanhumi is not endangered, there is concern regarding its harvesting. It has been exploited excessively in the Caribbean for food. To combat this, Puerto Rico enacted strict regulations and Florida is currently considering similar legislation. ("Blue Land Crabs Draft Rule Review", 2002)

Other Comments

Cardisoma guanhumi is fundamental to the cuisine of many Caribbean nations as well as Florida and Venezuela; however, there is much concern regarding its excessive harvesting. ("Blue Land Crabs Draft Rule Review", 2002)

Contributors

Renee Sherman Mulcrone (editor).

Samuel Wedes (author), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Phil Myers (editor), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

Glossary

Atlantic Ocean

the body of water between Africa, Europe, the southern ocean (above 60 degrees south latitude), and the western hemisphere. It is the second largest ocean in the world after the Pacific Ocean.

World Map

Nearctic

living in the Nearctic biogeographic province, the northern part of the New World. This includes Greenland, the Canadian Arctic islands, and all of the North American as far south as the highlands of central Mexico.

World Map

Neotropical

living in the southern part of the New World. In other words, Central and South America.

World Map

acoustic

uses sound to communicate

bilateral symmetry

having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.

carrion

flesh of dead animals.

chemical

uses smells or other chemicals to communicate

coastal

the nearshore aquatic habitats near a coast, or shoreline.

crepuscular

active at dawn and dusk

detritus

particles of organic material from dead and decomposing organisms. Detritus is the result of the activity of decomposers (organisms that decompose organic material).

ectothermic

animals which must use heat acquired from the environment and behavioral adaptations to regulate body temperature

estuarine

an area where a freshwater river meets the ocean and tidal influences result in fluctuations in salinity.

food

A substance that provides both nutrients and energy to a living thing.

forest

forest biomes are dominated by trees, otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality.

fossorial

Referring to a burrowing life-style or behavior, specialized for digging or burrowing.

heterothermic

having a body temperature that fluctuates with that of the immediate environment; having no mechanism or a poorly developed mechanism for regulating internal body temperature.

metamorphosis

A large change in the shape or structure of an animal that happens as the animal grows. In insects, "incomplete metamorphosis" is when young animals are similar to adults and change gradually into the adult form, and "complete metamorphosis" is when there is a profound change between larval and adult forms. Butterflies have complete metamorphosis, grasshoppers have incomplete metamorphosis.

motile

having the capacity to move from one place to another.

omnivore

an animal that mainly eats all kinds of things, including plants and animals

oviparous

reproduction in which eggs are released by the female; development of offspring occurs outside the mother's body.

pheromones

chemicals released into air or water that are detected by and responded to by other animals of the same species

polarized light

light waves that are oriented in particular direction. For example, light reflected off of water has waves vibrating horizontally. Some animals, such as bees, can detect which way light is polarized and use that information. People cannot, unless they use special equipment.

polygynandrous

the kind of polygamy in which a female pairs with several males, each of which also pairs with several different females.

polymorphic

"many forms." A species is polymorphic if its individuals can be divided into two or more easily recognized groups, based on structure, color, or other similar characteristics. The term only applies when the distinct groups can be found in the same area; graded or clinal variation throughout the range of a species (e.g. a north-to-south decrease in size) is not polymorphism. Polymorphic characteristics may be inherited because the differences have a genetic basis, or they may be the result of environmental influences. We do not consider sexual differences (i.e. sexual dimorphism), seasonal changes (e.g. change in fur color), or age-related changes to be polymorphic. Polymorphism in a local population can be an adaptation to prevent density-dependent predation, where predators preferentially prey on the most common morph.

rainforest

rainforests, both temperate and tropical, are dominated by trees often forming a closed canopy with little light reaching the ground. Epiphytes and climbing plants are also abundant. Precipitation is typically not limiting, but may be somewhat seasonal.

saltwater or marine

mainly lives in oceans, seas, or other bodies of salt water.

seasonal breeding

breeding is confined to a particular season

sexual

reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female

solitary

lives alone

stores or caches food

places a food item in a special place to be eaten later. Also called "hoarding"

tactile

uses touch to communicate

terrestrial

Living on the ground.

vibrations

movements of a hard surface that are produced by animals as signals to others

visual

uses sight to communicate

References

Blue Land Crabs Draft Rule Review. Tallahassee, FL: Division of Marine Fisheries. 2002. Accessed 03/19/03 at http://www.floridaconservation.org/commission/2002/nov/LANDCRABDRAFTRULEREVIEW.pdf.

Burggren, W., B. McMahon. 1988. Biology of the Land Crabs. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Burggren, W., G. Moreira, M. Santos. 1993. Specific dynamic action and the metabolism of the brachyuran land crabs Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius, 1787), Goniopsis cruentata (Latreille, 1803) and Cardisoma guanhumi (Latreille, 1825). Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, 169: 117-130.

Hill, K. 2001. "Cardisoma guanhumi" (On-line). Accessed December 04, 2004 at http://www.sms.si.edu/IRLSpec/Cardis_guanhu.htm.

Lloyd, R. 2001. "The Illusive Great Land Crab" (On-line). Accessed December 04, 2004 at http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/pae/marinebiology/casestudies/case_01.mhtml.

Pinder, A., A. Smits. 1993. The Burrow Microhabitat of the Land Crab Cardisoma guanhumi: Respiratory/Ionic Conditions and Physiological Responses of Crabs to Hypercapnia. Physiological Zoology, 66/2: 216-236.

anonymous, 2003. "Great Land Crab" (On-line). eNature.com. Accessed December 04, 2004 at http://www.enature.com/fieldguide/showSpeciesSH.asp?curGroupID=8&shapeID=1063&curPageNum=6&recnum=SC0010.

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