External Anatomy and Physiology of a Three Spotted Swimming Crab (Portunussanguinolentus)

The crab fishery in India is fast developing, and there is a vast scope for the crab meat, both national and international markets. Crabs rank third next to the shrimps and lobsters for their esteemed seafood delicacy and also the value of fishery they support. The main species supporting the crab fisheries in India are Scylla serrata, S. tranguebarica, Portunus pelagicus, P. sanguinolentus, Charybdis feriata, C. lucifera and C. truncata. Crabs are consumed not only to fulfill the nutrient requirements but also to cure diseases. The therapeutic use of animal, animals' parts and their by products by ethnic groups to cure different diseases is known as ethnomedicine. The main objective of the present studyis to create a dynamic experience in understanding the external features of three spotted swimming crab (P. Sanguinolentus).