Christmas Island crabs | Land crabs | Max Orchard

top of page

Infra-order Brachyura, Family Gecarcinidea

The crabs of the family Gecarcinidea are the most conspicuous land crabs. All gecarcinids are terrestrial and are found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, particularly on islands, and in coastal areas of tropical and sub-tropical America and West Africa.

Three genera from this family are represented on Christmas Island: Gecarcoidea, Discoplax and Epigrapsus.

Red crab | Gecarcoidea natalis

Red crab | Gecarcoidea natalis

More information on Red crab page

Purple crab | Discoplax humei

Purple crab | Discoplax humei

See more on Purple crabs page

Purple crab | Discoplax lalandii

Purple crab | Discoplax lalandii

See more on Purple crabs page

Blue crab | Discoplax celeste

Blue crab | Discoplax celeste

See more on Blue crab page

Rugose land crab | Discoplax rotunda

Rugose land crab | Discoplax rotunda

See more on Rugose land crab page

Discoplax magna

Discoplax magna

See more on Orange-legged crab page

Brown crab | Epigrapsus politus

Brown crab | Epigrapsus politus

See more on Brown crab page

Red, Purple, Blue, Rugose, Orange-legged and Brown crabs

Photos by: Max Orchard

except where indicated

bottom of page