Ecology
One of the more elusive crab species on Spanish
Lookout Caye is the mangrove root crab
(Goniopsis cruentata). Also known simply as
the root crab, this brightly colored crab (purple,
red and orange with white spots) lives among
the red mangrove roots and branches. During
low tide, you can find it beneath the red
mangrove roots (Rhizophora mangle) and
pimento stakes along the island’s central
causeway. According to Feller (1996), these
crabs have been observed feeding on mangrove
propagules, insects, and organic material. In
fact, mangrove root crabs may affect the
distribution red mangroves. Little is known
about the mangrove root crabs on Spanish
Lookout Caye