Cardisoma carnifex (Herbst, 1796)

Fig. 2C

Cardisoma carnifex, de Elera, 1895: 540 .— Estampador 1937: 541; 1959: 98.— Türkay 1974: 224.— Motoh & Kuronuma 1980: 90, fig. 37.

Material examined. 2 males, 67.8 × 55.7 mm, 60.1 by 50.2 mm, two females, 62.0 by 50.5 mm, 57.2 by 46.5 mm (ZRC; JBN170901–04), Brgy. Manawan, Jose Dalman town, Zamboanga del Norte prov., coll. J.B. Neri, 24 Nov. 2017 ; 1 male, 67.0 by 56.0 mm, 1 female, 54.0 by 46.0 mm (ZRC; JBN170406–07), Brgy. Poblacion, Manukan town, Zamboanga del Norte prov., coll. J.B. Neri, 17 Nov. 2017 ; 1 male, 63.0 by 54.3 mm (ZRC; JBN170523), Brgy. Bantayan, Sindangan town, Zamboanga del Norte prov., coll. J.B. Neri, 5 Sep. 2017 .

Remarks. Cardisoma carnifex (Herbst, 1796) (type locality: Tranquebar, India) is a widespread species in the Indo-West Pacific region, occurring from the eastern coast of Africa to the central Pacific islands such as the Tuamotu Archipelago (Türkay 1974). In the Philippines, it has been reported from Manila (Luzon I.), and the islands of Cebu, Negros, Palawan, Balabac, and Dinagat (NE of Mindanao) (de Elera 1895; Estampador 1937, 1959; Türkay 1974), although anecdotal evidence suggests it is also found throughout the Philippines wherever there is suitable habitat (JCEM pers. obs.). This species has also been recorded by Motoh & Kuronuma (1980) as being exploited for food in rural areas of the Philippines.