Study of Color Morphs of Brachyuran crab <i>Etisus laevimanus </i>Randall, 1840

Abstract

Present study consists the color polymorphism in brachyuran crab<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight:normal"> </b><i>Etisus laevimanus </i>Randall, 1840, which is common species found on the rocky shores of indo-pacific region. Total 83 specimens were collected from four different rocky shore sites of Saurashtra coast. Seven different morphs including orange morph, orange morph with brown dots on carapace, green morph, white morph with brown markings on carapace, yellow morph with brown markings on carapace, orange morph with white stripe on carapace and green morph with black spot on carapace were identified. Yellow morph with brown markings on carapace was the most common morph while green morph with black spot on carapace was rare morph found in the study area. Morphs also show peculiar micro habitat preference.