p. 185 - 192 TRACE ELEMENTS IN TWO RAS BEIRUT SHORE CRABS John G. Shiber Department of Biology American University of Beirut, Lebanon Abstract Two species of shore crabs, Eriphia verrucosa and Pachygrapsus transversus were collected along the coast of Ras Beirut, Lebanon and analysed for lead, cadmium, coper, nickel, iron, zinc and chromium. Metal levels were similar in the two species, but copper was slightly higher and zins was considerably higher in E. verrucosa. Chromium was not detected in most samples analysed. Three molted specimens of P. transversus were also analysed and found to contain high levels of lead and zinc in contrast to the other samples.