Common shore crab
Common shore crab (Carcinus maenas)
Loading 
Facts – Common shore crab
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Class | Crustacea |
| Order | Decapoda |
| Family | Portunidae |
| Genus | Carcinus (1) |
| Size | Carapace width: 80 mm (2) |
|
Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator. |
Status – Common shore crab
The common shore crab is common and widespread (2).
Description – Common shore crab
As its name suggests, the common shore crab is one of the commonest crabs on the British shore, and anyone who has gone rock-pooling is likely to have encountered one (3). This species is usually dark green in colour, although young individuals may have whitish blotches. The carapace of the common shore crab is wider than it is long, and the first pair of walking limbs ('pereopods') have pincers (2).
Range – Common shore crab
The common shore crab is found around the coasts of Britain and Ireland (4). It is also common around the coasts of north-west Europe (2).
|
You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. |
Habitat – Common shore crab
Biology – Common shore crab
The diet of the common shore crab includes invertebrates such as worms, molluscs and crustaceans. Small molluscs and barnacles are taken by young crabs (2).
Breeding peaks in summer, and mating can only take place shortly after the female common shore crab moults; the male finds a female before she is due to moult, and carries her around underneath his body for a number of days (2). After the moult, copulation occurs. The female creates a cavity by burrowing in the sand; she lays the eggs whilst positioned over this cavity, attaches them to her walking legs and carries them around for several months (2). After hatching, the common shore crab larvae are planktonic for 2-3 years. They then settle as young crabs, and reach maturity after around a year (2).
Threats – Common shore crab
The common shore crab is not currently threatened.
Conservation – Common shore crab
No conservation action has been targeted at the common shore crab.
|
|
There may be further information about this species available via the National Biodiversity Network Gateway. |
Find out more – Common shore crab
For more on the common shore crab, see:
-
Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) - Common Shore Crab, Carcinus maenas:
http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Carcinusmaenas.htm
Authentication
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk
Glossary
- Carapace: in arthropods (insects, crabs etc), the fused head and thorax (the part of the body located near the head) also known as 'cephalothorax'.
- Crustaceans: diverse group of arthropods (a phylum of animals with jointed limbs and a hard chitinous exoskeleton) characterised by the possession of two pairs of antennae, one pair of mandibles (parts of the mouthparts used for handling and processing food) and two pairs of maxillae (appendages used in eating, which are located behind the mandibles). Includes crabs, lobsters, shrimps, woodlice and barnacles.
- Invertebrates: animals with no backbone, such as insects, crustaceans, worms, molluscs, spiders, cnidarians (jellyfish, corals, sea anemones) and echinoderms.
- Larvae: stage in an animal's lifecycle after it hatches from the egg. Larvae are typically very different in appearance to adults; they are able to feed and move around but usually are unable to reproduce.
- Molluscs: a diverse group of invertebrates, mainly marine, that have one or all of the following; a horny, toothed ribbon in the mouth (the radula), a shell covering the upper surface of the body, and a mantle or mantle cavity with a type of gill. Includes snails, slugs, shellfish, octopuses and squid.
- Moult: periodic shedding of (usually) the outermost body covering (such as feathers, fur or skin) during growth and development, or at specific times of the year.
- Planktonic: aquatic organisms that drift with water movements; may be either phytoplankton (plants), or zooplankton (animals).
References
-
National Biodiversity Network Species Dictionary (January, 2003)
http://www.nhm.ac.uk/nbn/ - Fish, J.D. and Fish, S. (1996) A Student's Guide to the Seashore. Second Edition. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Buczacki, S. (2002) Fauna Britannica. Hamlyn, London.
-
Pizzolla, P.F, 2002. Carcinus maenas. Common shore crab. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. (November, 2002)
http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/Carcinusmaenas.htm
What's new?
New profile for the Vulnerable Malabar spiny dormouse. More
Latest from the ARKive blog
Loading...
ARKive.org is the place for films, photos and facts about endangered species. Subscribe to our blog today to keep up to date!
To see the latest posts from ARKive please visit http://blog.arkive.org or enable javascript.
To see the latest posts from ARKive please visit http://blog.arkive.org or enable javascript.
Image credit
Common shore crab
© lauriecampbell.com
Laurie Campbell Photography
Hestia
Paxton
Berwick-upon-Tweed
TD15 1TE
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1289 386 736
Fax: +44 (0) 1289 386 746
info@lauriecampbell.com
http://www.lauriecampbell.com
Link to this photo
Embed this ARKive thumbnail link by copying and pasting the code below.
Terms of Use - The displayed thumbnail may be used as a link from your website to ARKive's online content for not-for-profit private, scientific, conservation or educational purposes only. Portlets may NOT be used within Apps.
MyARKive offers the scrapbook feature to signed-up members, allowing you to organize your favourite ARKive images and videos and share them with friends.
