Rare Caribbean crab washes ashore on Chesil Beach after an incredible 4,000-mile journey across the Atlantic on a floating polystyrene buoy

A routine walk along the shore turned into a groundbreaking moment for naturalist Steve Trewhella when he stumbled upon an unusual crab on Chesil Beach near Weymouth, Dorset.

What made this find extraordinary was that the tiny creature had traveled an astonishing 4,000 miles across the Atlantic, hitching a ride on a piece of polystyrene.

A Caribbean Visitor in British Waters

The crab, identified as a short-spined hairy crab, is typically found in warm waters like the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Its presence in the UK was a rare and unexpected event.

The crab had been clinging to a polystyrene shellfish buoy that originated from the Florida Keys.

When Trewhella discovered it, the creature was barely alive, exhausted from its long journey.

A Closer Look at the Unusual Passenger

Covered in goose barnacles—an indication that the buoy had been floating in open water for a long time—the crab had carved out a small hollow for itself in the polystyrene.

At first glance, it resembled native hairy crabs found in the UK, but something felt different.

Suspecting that it had traveled far from home, Trewhella preserved the crab in his freezer and contacted Dr. Paul Clark, a researcher at the Natural History Museum, to investigate further.

Scientific Examination Confirms the Species

Upon receiving the frozen specimen, Dr. Clark and his team carefully analyzed its morphology.

They observed slight differences in the frontal margins of the crab, which had grown slightly wider, confirming that it was a Pilumnus dasypodus—a species never before recorded in British waters.

The buoy provided undeniable evidence that the crab had journeyed from the Florida Keys, though attempts to trace its origin back to a fisherman were unsuccessful.

The Potential Impact of an Invasive Species

Experts warn that the arrival of exotic species like this crab could pose a significant risk to local biodiversity.

If a female carrying eggs were to survive the journey and successfully reproduce, the species could establish itself in UK waters, potentially competing with native marine life.

With climate change warming ocean temperatures, occurrences like this may become more frequent, increasing the risk of invasive species disrupting local ecosystems.

Scientific Recognition and Ongoing Research

The discovery has led to the publication of a scientific paper titled An American in Chesil Cove, which details the research conducted on this unexpected visitor.

The UK is home to 65 crab species, with the shore crab being the most common, but the introduction of new species could alter the balance of marine life.

What Comes Next?

While this particular crab did not survive, its journey raises important questions about the movement of marine species across vast distances.

Researchers will continue to monitor the potential arrival of other non-native species and assess the impact climate change may have on marine biodiversity.

Could this be the beginning of more exotic crabs making their way to British shores? Only time will tell.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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