Atlantic Ghost Crab
Ocypode quadrata
This record describes Ocypode quadrata (species). Recorded family: Ocypodidae. Recorded order: Decapoda.
Identification and Appearance
The only species of ghost crab along Atlantic beaches. Individuals are occasionally found north of Rhode Island, though they cannot survive the winters there. Update: articles in 2013 indicate that a breeding population is present on Martha's Vineyard. Records of juveniles run as far north as Kennebunkport, ME, one of which is posted here on the Guide.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Order
- Decapoda (Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp)
- Family
- Ocypodidae (Fiddler Crabs and Ghost Crabs)
- Genus
- Ocypode (Ghost Crabs)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Sandy beaches.
Geographic Range
From RI along the coast to Brazil.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: J. C. Fabricius, 1787
About Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp: the wider group
Order-level background for Decapoda, the group containing Ocypode quadrata. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Decapoda includes ~15,000 described species of crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish. Although primarily marine and freshwater, some species like hermit crabs and coconut crabs are fully terrestrial.
Ecological role of the group
Crayfish are keystone species in freshwater ecosystems, influencing water clarity, sediment dynamics, and plant communities. Hermit crabs play vital roles in nutrient cycling on tropical islands.
Economic and practical significance of the group
The global shrimp industry alone is worth over $45 billion annually. Crayfish are important aquaculture species and invasive crayfish cause ecological damage estimated in the hundreds of millions annually in Europe and North America.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO fisheries statistics, freshwater ecology. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Atlantic Ghost Crab (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Joshua Stuart Rose , metrioptera
Frequently Asked Questions About Atlantic Ghost Crab
What is Atlantic Ghost Crab?
Atlantic Ghost Crab (Ocypode quadrata) is a species in the family Ocypodidae, within the order Decapoda.
How do you identify Atlantic Ghost Crab?
The only species of ghost crab along Atlantic beaches.
Where is Atlantic Ghost Crab found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Sandy beaches. |
| Range | From RI along the coast to Brazil. |