'A'ama - Crab
These crabs are ubiquitous on rocky shores, clambering about in the splash zone and retreating into crevices or the water when approached. They are greenish black, marked with faint striations. Their molted shells, found high on rocks, often turn bright red from the heat of the sun (just as a lobster turns red when boiled). Edible, they were of importance in old Hawaiʻi and gave rise to a number of stories and saying. When trouble arose and people gathered out of curiosity, it was said "When the sea is rough the aʻama crabs climb up on the rocks." The Hawaiians name means "to loosen on relax." To ask a favor of the gods, an ʻaʻama might be offered, that the gould would "loosen" and grant it. The species name means "thin shell."
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Rock Crabs
Rock, or grapside, crabs live on rocky shores and in nearby shallow waters. A few species inhabit floating logs and other debris; others are semi terrestrial or live in fresh water. Their carapaces vary from square to almost round and are usually flattened as art the legs. The two claw-bearing limbs are typically short, adapted for picking algae from the rocks. The related Button crabs (family Palicidae) often have round, domed carapaces covered with garnules or tubercles. The last pair of legs is slender and short. (Information taken from Hawaiʻi's Sea Creatures)
Other Resources
Rock, or grapside, crabs live on rocky shores and in nearby shallow waters. A few species inhabit floating logs and other debris; others are semi terrestrial or live in fresh water. Their carapaces vary from square to almost round and are usually flattened as art the legs. The two claw-bearing limbs are typically short, adapted for picking algae from the rocks. The related Button crabs (family Palicidae) often have round, domed carapaces covered with garnules or tubercles. The last pair of legs is slender and short. (Information taken from Hawaiʻi's Sea Creatures)
Other Resources