MISCELLANEOUS TROPICAL INVERTEBRATES 3-20-05

Tropical land leech – Trinidad 2004.

Planarian, a flat worm – Trinidad, 2004.

Another flatworm, a biplanarian – note the spade-shaped head to the left – Trinidad.

We seldom encounter slugs, but this Vaginulus floridana was found in San Miguel. This species also occurs (by introduction) in the U.S.

Land crabs are common in the tropics. This blue land crab, Cardiosoma guanhumi, was photographed near the municipal airport in Belize City. (by Ryan Dempsey)

All land crabs are still tied to the “wetland.” Like this Cardiosoma guanhumi from Trinidad, they periodically visit the water to remoisten their gills.

The occasional land crab visits us on Half Moon Caye. They like beer!

The common name of land crabs in Trinidad is manicou (opossum), so named because they carry their hatched young under their telson (the rear segment of arthropods, or back flap) to the water.

Land Crab, Eudaniela garmani, eating a wild tobacco fruit (Trinidad).

Land crab, Eudaniela garmani, in typical hunting posture.

Another of the same, but a juvenile.

Large hermit crabs are abundant on Half Moon Caye, Belize.

Hermit crabs like our food scraps.

Hermit crabs turn out in large numbers for food.

Finis!