crabbymaxie's Favourites

These crabs are quite common on the tidal flats in the North Eastham area, I've been seeing them for many years.

There's a paper, Phylogeny of the genus Pinnixa White, 1846 (Crustacea, Brachyura, Pinnotheridae) and allies inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers, with generic reassignment of twenty-one species (By Emma PALACIOS THEIL & Darryl L. FELDER) - Link: https://sciencepress.mnhn.fr/en/periodiques/zoosystema/42/6 that contains a Morphological characteristic chart. The shape of the claws and male pleon align with Pinnixa cylindrica most closely.

There's another paper out there, THE OCCURRENCE OF PINNIXA CYLINDRICA (CRUSTACEA, PINNOTHERIDAE) IN THE TUBES OF THE LUGWORM, ARENICOLA CRISTATA (by John J. McDermott) - Link: https://www.jstor.org/stable/44112124 that describes Pinnixa cylindrica being found frequently alongside the Lugworm. There are many American Lugworm in the area as evidenced by their egg 'jellies'.

There are a few Cape-area Pinnixinae on iNat already, I believe these are also Pinnixa cylindrica:

• https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/113221758
• https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/92703005
• https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6989329
• https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/131488437

Observed after the end of the 2021 breeding season.

At least 10 adult birds gathered on beach, lots of interaction between birds. Very relaxed behaviour. A few days later all birds had departed with none to be seen on the beach.

I was thrilled to finally see a Snowy Owl, right here in my town, which is rare. I think this may be an immature one, with so much brown. The poor owl was continually harassed by noisy crows-- not a nice welcome to our town. Thanks to @ekingfisher for telling me!