Coenobita perlatus
Common name: Strawberry, Straw
Latin Origins: perlatus : from the word perfero
perfero: 1. vt. carry through, bring, convey;
2. bear, endure, put up with
Distribution: Australian Region-Australia: Christmas Island (Indian Ocean), Cocos
(Keeling) Islands, Coral Sea Islands Territory, Queensland (Great
Barrier Reef)
NE Herald Cay; Indo-west Pacific Oceans
C. perlatus are native to the Indo-Pacific region from the Islands of
Aldabra, Mauritius and Seychelles through Samoa, specifically
Madagascar, Japan, Australia and in other areas around the Red Sea
and the Pacific. However, they have spread to other Atlantic regions
because humans have brought them there. Still, they have a harder time surviving on Cape Cod (Massachusetts) than they do in Kapiti Island (a
small island off the coast of Paraparaumu, New Zealand).
In Australia they are restricted to islands and coral cays of the Great
Barrier Reef where they have been found to scavenge on sea terns,
tortoise eggs and other crabs.
Habitat: Offshore islands, commonly found in turban shells, shelters under logs and litter during day; in tidal pools, sandy areas, and humid areas with dune vegetation. They are most active at a relative humidity of about 80% and a temperature of about 80°F (27°C). Coenobita perlatus are more dependent on the sea as they require regular access to sea water or water of high salinity.
Ecology: Nocturnal, supratidal, terrestrial (desert or dune, forest, scrub forest), coastal
Characteristics: Coenobita perlatus have pronounced striations (stitch marks) on their large pincer (about 4-7 of them). They are noted for their bright red colouring and white granual markings. Adult perlatus are approximately 80mm long and 80g in body mass.
References: Forest, J. (1956). La faune des Iles Cocos-Keelings Paguridea. Bull. Raffles Mus. Singapore 27(6): 45-55[53], University of Michigan Museum of Zoology Animal Diversity Web Noelle McKenzie 1999
