New crab species with star-shaped projections found

Scientists have discovered a new species of orange-coloured crab in Taiwan that is covered in numerous tiny, star-shaped projections all over its body. Researchers from National University of Singapore found the crab species from red coral beds during a survey at a small seamount by Peng-Chia-Yu Island in Taiwan. The species has also been found in the Philippines. This astonishing creature is distinct with its carapace (upper shell) and chelipeds (legs) covered in pointy protrusions.

However, these change with age, becoming shorter, blunter and mushroom-shaped to resemble wart-like outgrowths and granules, researchers said. Regardless of their sex, as the crabs grow larger, their carapaces also get proportionately rounder and wider, they added. The curious 'star shaped' protuberances on the bodies of the crabs led to the name Pariphiculus stellatus, where stellatus translates as 'starry' from Latin. 

The colouration of P stellatus varies among specimens. While predominantly orange with white patches, their shade could be either dull, pale or intense. The white spots might cover some of the protrusions or extend over most of the body. The underside of the body is dirty white to light brown, researchers said. The team also found another rare crab species - Acanthodromia margarita - for the first time in Taiwan. The species was previously known from the Andaman Sea in the eastern Indian Ocean, Japan and the Philippines.

The collected female specimen is one of the largest representatives of the species known so far, researchers said. "With their bright orange to pink bodies, these hedgehog-like crabs are truly striking in life!" said Peter Ng from National University of Singapore. The finding was published in the journal ZooKeys.