Horseshoe Crab Watch

Sunday, 20 April 2014

Two female Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda caught by a fisherman at Nim Shue Wan, East Lantau on 12 April 2014.

Two female Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda caught by a fisherman at Nim Shue Wan, East Lantau on 12 April 2014.

Two female Tachypleus tridentatus caught at Cheung Sha Lan, East Lantau on 11 April 2014.

Two female Tachypleus tridentatus caught by a fisherman at Cheung Sha Lan, East Lantau on 11 April 2014.

Adult

Sub-adult

Mating pair of Tachypleus tridentatus caught at Ha Pak Nai on 10 October 2013.

This male and female were caught by a local fisherman close to the shore at Ha Pak Nai, Deep Bay, New Territories West on a receding tide and donated to the City University/Ocean Park horseshoe crab breed and release programme.

As caught

In the breeding tank at City University

Notice the prominent scars left by the male during attachment on the female carapace

Five Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda from East Lantau on 6 - 7 October 2013.

1. Date: 6 October 2013

Location: Nim Shue Wan, Lantau.

Species: Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda

Sex: Female

Prosoma width: 13.5 cms

Body length: 30 cms.

2. Date: 6 October 2013

Location: Nim Shue Wan, Lantau.

Species: Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda

Sex: Male

Prosoma width: 11 cms

Body length: 22 cms

3. Date: 7 October 2013

Location: Discovery Bay, Lantau.

Species: Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda

Sex: Male

Prosoma width: 13 cms

Body length: 26 cms

4. Date: 7 October 2013

Location: Discovery Bay, Lantau.

Species: Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda

Sex: Male

Prosoma width: 14 cms

Body length:

5. Date: 7 October 2013

Location: Discovery Bay, Lantau.

Species: Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda

Sex: Female

Prosoma width: 15 cms

Body length: 29 cms

Comment: Caught by local fisherman. Note the abundant epifauna on 2 of the specimens, suggesting extended periods of living in sea water conditions. Specimens in estuarine areas usually do not exhibit such rich epifaunal growths.

Tuesday, 8 October 2013

Four Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda from East Lantau on 4 October 2013.

1. Date: 4 October 2013

Location: Discovery Bay, Lantau.

Species: Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda

Sex: Female

Prosoma width: 15 cms

Body length: 32 cms.

2. Date: 4 October 2013

Location: Nim Shue Wan, Lantau.

Species: Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda

Sex: Female

Prosoma width: 14 cms

Body length: 19 cms

3. Date: 4 October 2013

Location: Nim Shue Wan, Lantau.

Species: Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda

Sex: Female

Prosoma width: 13 cms

Body length: 28 cms

4. Date: 4 October 2013

Location: Nim Shue Wan, Lantau.

Species: Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda

Sex: Male (upper right hand corner)

Prosoma width: 11 cms

Body length: 23 cms

Comment: Caught by local fisherman. Note the abundant epifauna on 3 of the specimens, suggesting extended periods of living in sea water conditions. Specimens in estuarine areas in Hong Kong usually do not exhibit such rich epifaunal growths.