Ozius deplanatus, commonly known as the black finger crab and the iron crab, is a species of crab found in New Zealand and Australia.[1][2]
Common around the North Island of New Zealand.[1]
Found in Australia from Eastern Victoria to New South Wales, on Flinders Island and the Kent Group.[2][3]
Also found on Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island.[3]
O. deplanatus is found under boulders and among stones in the lower to mid tidal regions of the intertidal zone on sheltered rocky and gravel shores.[1][4][5]
It is distributed sparsely, with one individual per 5 m2.[1]
Adults average 57 millimetres (2.2 in) in size with a flattened oval-shaped carapace that is wide in the front with blunt lobed edges. This can be a rusty red to chocolate brown colour with light mottling. Underside may be a paler cream colour.[2] The antennae are dark red to brown. Claws are large with a smooth texture.[2] Fingers may be black or brown in colour.[1] Walking legs are pale red with golden setae or hairs.[1]
The black finger crab is a scavenger feeder.[5] It feeds on snails, half-crabs and hermit crabs. It is known to chip away at the shells of larger snails before grasping the animal with its mouth-parts. Smaller snails are crushed by the crab's large claws. It also feeds on limpets and chitons by using the tip of its claw to remove them from a rock.[1]
It will spread its claws when started or threatened.[1]
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Ozius deplanatus, commonly known as the black finger crab and the iron crab, is a species of crab found in New Zealand and Australia.
