A

David

Darling

hemocyanin

The underside of the carapace of a red rock crab. The purple coloring is caused by hemocyanin.

The underside of the carapace of a red rock crab. The purple coloring is caused by hemocyanin.


Hemocyanin is a blue, oxygen-carrying, copper-containing protein, similar to hemoglobin, present in the blood of certain insects, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Its function is to convey oxygen from the respiratory organs to the tissues.