Yellow Dotted Guard Crab

Trapezia lutea

The Yellow Dotted Guard Crab, known scientifically as Trapezia lutea, is a small crustacean belonging to the family Trapeziidae. It is typically found in tropical Indo-Pacific regions, including French Polynesia. These crabs are epizoic and primarily inhabit subtidal zones, residing within coral reefs. They are most commonly encountered at depths ranging from the surface to 45 meters, with the majority of occurrences recorded at depths shallower than 40 meters. The species is known for its symbiotic relationship with coral, often seen residing among the branches of coral colonies. As a member of the order Decapoda, the Yellow Dotted Guard Crab exhibits gonochoric reproductive behavior, with a common precopulatory courtship ritual involving olfactory and tactile cues. Mating typically involves indirect sperm transfer. Divers encountering the Yellow Dotted Guard Crab may notice its distinctive yellow spots, which help differentiate it from other similar crab species. The species is considered harmless to humans and does not have any evaluated conservation status, according to the IUCN Red List.