This close up shows two lithodid crabs engaged in mating behavior. This crab couple was seen during Dive 08 of the Seascape Alaska 5 expedition. These crabs were perched on top of a basaltic rocky outcrop with an anemone (Liponema sp.) and a white sponge in the background.
Mating Crabs
Image courtesy of NOAA Ocean Exploration, Seascape Alaska. Download larger version (jpg, 1.1 MB).

This close up shows two lithodid crabs engaged in mating behavior. This crab couple was seen during Dive 08 of the Seascape Alaska 5 expedition. These crabs were perched on top of a basaltic rocky outcrop with an anemone (Liponema sp.) and a white sponge in the background.