Zanthopsis leachi (Desmarest)

Superfamily

Family

Subfamily

Genus

Species

Treatise

Comments /Relevant Synonyms

XANTHOIDEA

Dana, 1851

XANTHIDAE

Dana, 1851

 

Zanthopsis

M'Coy, 1849 Note (4)

Zanthopsis leachi (Desmarest)

R522

Fig 329,1

Xanthopsis leachii Bell

Note (3)

Zanthopsis leachi is probably the most commonly found crab, but is not the most common, Glyphithreus wetherelli has that honour but is much smaller so tends to be overlooked. Several species of Zanthopsis have been recorded from Sheppey, and there is some debate as to whether they represent separate species or are part of a rapid evolutionary continuum. However we view these species, they are all obviously very closely related and may well have been capable of inter-breeding. The debate remains open.
Male upper
Female underside
Male underside
Small specimen on the surface of a septarian cement stone
Rolled phosphatic nodule as found on the beach
Specimen as found on the foreshore, washed out and stained red from the iron pyrite contained within the nodule.