Colour changes associated with moulting in the fiddler crab, Uca capricornis

The purpose of the experiment was to quantitatively examine the colour changes associated with moulting in the fiddler crab, Uca capricornis. Experiments were conducted in the East Point Reserve, Darwin between Nov - Jan (04/05 & 05/06).

Circular cages were constructed on the mud flat and characteristically marked crabs were introduced. In total 11 females and 10 males were photographed through at least one moult.

On average, U. capricornis grow 1.6mm with every moult. With every successive moult the carapace pattern contracts and becomes more distinct, especially in males. In addition to the considerable variation in pattern, both sexes also vary in the specific colour of their spots. Colour changes are associated with moulting and, as with pattern, tend to follow a certain progression.

Data and resources

Female_moult.zip

Before and after moulting images: 11 Females

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Male_moult.zip

Before and after moulting images: 10 Males

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moulting_sizes_amended.xls

Carapace and claw sizes before and after moulting

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Additional information

Date (publication)	2007-08-15
Status	completed
Update frequency	asNeeded
Metadata language	en
License	Thumbnail not to be reproduced without consent from the principal investigator
Source metadata	ISO 19115 XML
Last updated	2026-11-05
Created	2026-11-05
API	package_show