Fabulous crabs accessorize with seaweed and live anemones
With 700 species spread across the planet, the decorator crab is a common presence in the world’s oceans. What is special about these crustaceans is that they have a remarkable ability to perfectly camouflage in their environment. Over time, the crabs have learnt how to attach bits of finery to specialised Velcro-like hooks on their bodies, and they do this with a remarkable precision.
“It’s not a glue or anything; they have these hooked hairs all over their shells. Through microscope photography we can see that it looks just like Velcro, except probably even better, even more hooked,” according, to biologist Jay Stachowicz.
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The crab hooks are perfect for attaching bits of seaweed or kelp and the crustacean has a superb accuracy in nestling the bits in place. “For smaller crabs in particular, it’s important that the algae be small enough to fit within the rows of hooked hairs. So very small, slender seaweed or sheet-like seaweeds are often chosen because they attach well,” Stachowicz added. Some crabs take this even further and add live anemones. The burden can get quite heavy after a while, but it is a necessary step for the crabs to camouflage in the environment and escape predators.
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