About Leptograpsus variegatus (Fabricius, 1793)
Adults of Leptograpsus variegatus are large crabs, with a carapace that can reach up to 50 millimeters in width. Mature individuals have an overall purple base coloration, with a variable amount of white patterning across the body. Juvenile crabs are bluish grey with black patterning. Their carapace has a somewhat square shape, and their eyes are relatively short. The entire body is smooth and completely hairless. Immature eggs of this species are around 0.36 millimeters in diameter, and are a very dark brown color. When eggs are ready to hatch, they measure roughly 0.44 by 0.42 millimeters and shift to a light brown color. The first zoeal larval stage of this crab is approximately 1.31 millimeters long. Leptograpsus variegatus is found in Australia (ranging from Western Australia to southern Australia), South America (ranging from Peru to Chile), New Zealand, and numerous islands across the Pacific Ocean. This crab inhabits upper intertidal rocky zones, and is often seen running across exposed rock, hiding in cracks or under boulders.
