Discoplax hirtipes crab releasing eggs in shallow water at full moon | Palau

This is a female Discoplax hirtipes terrestrial crab disseminating her brood of fertilized eggs into shallow water during full moon. The crab waited on land at Ngeremdiu Beach for the evening high tide. She entered the water as the tide turned to go out and released her eggs. Once she committed to releasing eggs, it was only a matter of seconds before she completed her task and headed back to the safety of her underground burrow. See separate photograph of the crab eggs in the water.

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Filename: female-land-crab-releasing-eggs-palau-discoplax-hirtipes-201102-377.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication without prior written permission
Image Size: 4507x3005 / 38.8MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Crustacean Land Crab Terrestrial Crab Animalia Arthropoda Crustacea Malacostraca Decapoda Gecarcinidae Discoplax hirtipes Eggs Larvae Zoea Spawning Reproduction Full Moon Female Pacific Philippine Sea Caroline Islands Palau Ngeruktabel Island Ngeremdiu Beach
Contained in galleries: Exploring Palau by Kayak, Marine Life | Palau, Marine Life Reproduction, Palau, Crustaceans

This is a female Discoplax hirtipes terrestrial crab disseminating her brood of fertilized eggs into shallow water during full moon. The crab waited on land at Ngeremdiu Beach for the evening high tide. She entered the water as the tide turned to go out and released her eggs. Once she committed to releasing eggs, it was only a matter of seconds before she completed her task and headed back to the safety of her underground burrow. See separate photograph of the crab eggs in the water.