About Epilobocera sinuatifrons (A.Milne-Edwards, 1866)
Epilobocera sinuatifrons is a freshwater crab that belongs to the family Epiloboceridae. This species is endemic to the region, and it is widely distributed across streams in Puerto Rico. It can also be found on Saint Croix, which is part of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The common name for this freshwater crab is "buruquena." A key feature of this crab is its direct development, meaning it does not produce larvae at any stage of its life cycle. Unlike freshwater shrimp, which release larvae, this crab breeds in freshwater streams and releases fully formed small crabs instead. Epilobocera sinuatifrons is one of the most abundant predatory freshwater decapods living in Puerto Rico's freshwater streams. Juveniles of this species are fully aquatic, while adults also feed on terrestrial resources found on the forest floor next to streams.
