FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes Western

Grapsidae 1143
Episesarma versicolor (Tweedie, 1940)
Frequent synonyms / misidentifications: None / None.
FAO name: En - Violet vinegar crab.
Diagnostic characters: Carapace
squarish, with 1 small anterolateral
tooth; dorsal surface relatively flat;
regions well defined, covered with
short, stiff setae. Dorsal margin of
dactylar finger with numerous (40 to
48) tubercles, forming a stridulatory
organ. Colour: carapace brown to
brownish grey; outer surface of palm
with proximal parts violet, distal parts
and fingers white.
Size: Maximum carapace width
5cm(forEpisesarma spp.).
Habitat, biology, and fisheries: All
members of Episesarma are mangrove
crabs, digging burrows at the base of trees or at mud lobster
(Thalassina) mounds, and are predominantly herbivorous. There
are several species of Episesarma known from Southeast Asia,
all of which are harvested to varying degrees. They are collected
in large numbers for food in many Southeast Asian countries and
some southern Chinese communities. The crabs are collected by
hand, often pickled in vinegar and/or salt solutions and are then
eaten as they are with rice, or deep fried. In northern Australia, an
undescribed species of Episesarma is eaten by the aborigines (P.
Davie, pers. comm.).
Distribution: Southeast Asia and southern China.
Remarks: Four other species
of Episesarma in Southeast
Asia are large and common
enough to be collected for food.
These are E. singaporense, E.
mederi, E. chengtongense,and
E. palawanense (see abbreviated
species accounts below).
They are easily distinguished
by various carapace and cheliped
characters, and on the basis
of live colours.
outer surface of chela