{"id":7555,"date":"2013-07-17T00:15:01","date_gmt":"2013-07-16T21:15:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/klqewmpxo.cyon.link\/?page_id=7555"},"modified":"2026-01-31T21:27:45","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T19:27:45","slug":"suesswasserkrabbe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azalas.de\/en\/freshwater-crab\/","title":{"rendered":"The freshwater crab"},"content":{"rendered":"

A<\/big>part from the numerous marine crabs<\/a> that live in the sea and on the coast, on Naxos also occurs a crab species that lives in fresh water. It lives in the island’s perennial rivers, such as the river between Kin\u00eddaros and Engar\u00e9s, near Potami\u00e1 and near Ap\u00f3llonas. The naxian freshwater crabs belong to the species Potamon potamios<\/em>, which occurs in the south-eastern Aegean, the eastern Mediterranean and the Levant.<\/p>\n

Levantine freshwater crab, Potamon potamios<\/em>, Olivier<\/h6>\n

T<\/big>he Levantine freshwater crab is a relatively large species; its body can reach a width of 7 cm. The carapace is rather smooth with many small, rounded teeth at the front. The enlarged claws of the front feet are quite large and powerful.<\/p>\n

T<\/big>he Levantine freshwater crab occurs on various Aegean island where it has split into morphologically distinct subspecies. The Naxian crabs represent the subspecies Potamon potamios schoenmanni<\/em> (Pretzmann). The subspecies are distinguished by the shape of their gonopods, i.e. modified legs used for mating.<\/p>\n

T<\/big>he Levantine freshwater crabs can regularly be seen along several rivers on Naxos, mainly in the water, but occasionally also on the river banks or even at some distance from the river: they are semiterrestrial.<\/p>\n

\"Freshwater
\nOne of the most interesting inhabitants of the rivers of Naxos is the freshwater crab Potamon potamios.<\/em><\/small><\/p>\n

\"Freshwater
\nThey are usually seen walking around on the bottom of small pools.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Freshwater
\nAn almost black specimen on land. The very dark colouring is characteristic of the Naxian subspecies.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Freshwater
\nOccasionally, the crabs can also be found quite far from the water. Photo by Reinard Schmitz<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Freshwater
\nWith a little skill, you can sometimes catch a crab.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Freshwater
\nAs in all crab species the abdomen is tucked under the body.<\/small><\/p>\n

\"Freshwater<\/p>\n

to the photo overview<\/a><\/p>\n

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