Geosesarma aristocratensis (Vampire Red)

**joydiv** · 28th May 2009, 02:40

A new colour morph of the popular vampire crab.

**silane** · 28th May 2009, 03:51

Nice, these are rare beauty !

Is this a color morph of vampire or another species?

**kian** · 28th May 2009, 12:19

are they available in Singapore?

**joydiv** · 30th May 2009, 03:55

Not too sure yet, collection location according to the supplier is entirely different from the usual Vampires.

But I would think they will cross breed easily. Probably a colour morph and not an entirely different species. Will need the experts on this.

To Kian
Hmmm I dont think its exported out yet!

**BEASTIEPENDENT** · 2nd Jun 2009, 09:19

Hmm, second time I see pictures from these. The name Geosesarma aristocratensis is of course no real name but a fantasy name (trivial name). There is no such species.

I doubt they are the same species as Geosesarma sp. "Vampire" (which is not yet described scientifically) and probably they can't mate. Hope we will get some specimen to study. From my first impression these ones do have much longer legs than "Vampires" in relation to the body, but it's just an impression.

joydiv: What shall be the location (or do they don'T give one as they often don't – then the species is of course not to determine or to descrbe. No description without exact location!)?

**joydiv** · 2nd Jun 2009, 12:17

Hi beastie

As usual, the location given is Sulawesi. They are very secretive about the locations.
I will try to get a picture of the two, Vampire and the Vampire red side by side.
Maybe that will be a better way to compare the 2.

I am sure they will start shipping out the new crabs to Germany soon.

**BEASTIEPENDENT** · 2nd Jun 2009, 16:47

Good Morning

Originally Posted by joydiv

I will try to get a picture of the two, Vampire and the Vampire red side by side.
Maybe that will be a better way to compare the 2.

Not taxonomically. To determine a Geosesarma species I need macroscopic pictures if not the animal itself. The details are so little You can't catch that easy with photos.

I am sure they will start shipping out the new crabs to Germany soon.

They are here since a few weeks, the dealer here has baby crablets already: http://www.mr-krabs.de/blog/?p=829

**joydiv** · 3rd Jun 2009, 03:04

I see, so until you get a sample then.. we can determine if its a colour morph or an entirely new species.

Thanks for your help.

**BEASTIEPENDENT** · 3rd Jun 2009, 03:12

Yes, without samples an exact determination is nearly impossible.

**wenjun** · 9th Jun 2009, 10:35

Nice and unique colour

**minicooper** · 11th Jun 2009, 16:22

Wow! Stunning Color... I think I would name it Devil or Demon Crab.. Which like it comes from the Hell... Remember a movie title" Hell Boy"

**BEASTIEPENDENT** · 15th Jun 2009, 05:57

Today I got some detailed photos of these animals. The only morphological difference I could find is that "Vampires" have nine tubercles on their "thumb" and these orange ones have eleven. So right now – without examination of the gonopods – I doubt this difference alone would go for a true new species and tend to think it's a color morph of the "Vampire crabs". But this is not sure yet!

**joydiv** · 15th Jun 2009, 11:59

Hi beastie

Thanks for the information. Anyway, they can be quite aggressive to their own kind.
I have witness them fighting. The normal vampires are also the same.