About Lydia annulipes (H.Milne Edwards, 1834)
Lydia annulipes, originally described by H. Milne Edwards in 1834, is a species of crab belonging to the family Oziidae. Its body coloration ranges from brown to red-brown to purple, and its walking legs bear purple or red-brown bands. All collected individuals of this species have been observed to have a larger right claw than left claw. The carapace of Lydia annulipes is oval-shaped, wider than it is long, and can reach up to 25 mm (0.98 inches) across in large specimens. The front area of the carapace is deeply furrowed, and the carapace itself is smooth, matching the smooth texture of the crab's legs. The sides of the carapace feature 5 pointed lobes, counting the lobe located behind the eye. The large cutting claw is rough on its upper surface, and has a single large rounded tooth at its base. Lydia annulipes is distributed across the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Individual crabs live in crevices and holes in rock formations located just below the high tide line.
