| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Species | Ostrakonskelos anaktoraphore ("Hard-Legged Palace-Bearer") |
| Attitude | Passive |
| Type | Mobile |
| Category | Foragers |
| Biomod | Water Retention |
| Biome | Dolerite Spires |
| Scan Tool | Bioscanner |
The Coral Crab is a bottom dwelling Lifeform that uses a Coral Dome for protection and camouflage. Living Coral Crabs are found in the Dolerite Spires, but a large number of Dead Coral Crabs are found in the Graveyard and South Raceway.
Appearance
The Coral Crab's body is covered by a greyish-brown exoskeleton broken up by blue banding on the dorsal side and legs. The carapace is domed with an irregularly shaped abdominal segment jutting out from behind and a rounded segment with festooned edges that wraps around the sides. There are eight legs in total with the rear three pairs being smaller and the foremost pair of legs extremely elongated, around twice the length of the rear legs. The Coral Crab walks with the terminal segment of the forelegs tucked inward, in what could be viewed as an arthropod analogue to knuckle-walking.
The head bears four spherical eyes that jut out on stalks, and four long fleshy tentacles with brush-like ends that descend from the mouth. Around the mouth there are four long and slender antenna-like appendages present.
The body is typically covered by a large coral shell, which can vary in shapes.
Coral Crabs are approximately 10m long and 10m tall.
Behavior
At rest the Coral Crab will sometimes bury itself in the sand, appearing as a Coral Dome. It will dig itself out if approached by a Player or rammed by a Hammerhead. While roaming, the Coral Crab will occasionally dig for food in the ground, and may kick up Raw Materials such as Titanium when doing so. Crab Feces can also be found near the habitat of Coral Crabs or be dug up by them.
The items dug up by the Coral Crab are dependent on which biome it is digging in. Each item has different weight (likelihood of appearing).
Databank Entry
Source: Scan a Coral Crab
An enormous crab (tentatively Ostrakonskelos anaktoraphore, hard-legged palace-bearer) that hides among coral domes.
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Crablike body plan Forelimbs rake and dig for food which is collected by long soft maxillipeds (food handling limbs) around the mouth. The crab must molt to grow.
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Coral dome A living coral dome, cut from its holdfast and worn. It provides camouflage, protection, and perhaps a nursery for the crab's young. Are they married to a single dome, or are domes traded as they grow?
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Implicit predator Defenses and behavior imply the existence of a predator powerful and dexterous enough to shuck the crab from its dome and crack its heavy armor.
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Viral activity Genome contains large repeated retroviral inserts, including nerve growth factors and shell pigments. Molecular clock suggests they were recent introductions. Cells on the crab's back contain large segments of the coral dome polyp's genome.
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Large brains The coral crab has no spinal nerve braid. A large brain above the eyes manages senses and behavior planning, while a secondary nerve cluster controls the legs and digestive system.
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Seafloor communication Coral crabs drum on the seafloor to signal to each other. Claw-clacking is likely a sign of intense excitement or agitation. Some Earth crabs seek desirable partners to pair with prior to molting, a behavior known as 'handholding'. Finding a similar behavior on this world may be emotionally rewarding.
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Signs of ecological stress Mineral deficiencies and fungal infections imply environmental stressors.
Assessment: likely fears you more than you fear it. Be cautious and respectful. At least as intelligent as a gorilla. Possibly a useful source of seabed resources.
Research proposal: determine whether the crab carries its dome to sunny or nutrient-rich areas for feeding.
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