Glyptolithodes
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| Glyptolithodes cristatipes | ||||||||||||||||
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| Glyptolithodes cristatipes (Faxon, 1893) [2] |
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Rhinolithodes cristatipes Faxon, 1893 [3] |
Glyptolithodes cristatipes, also known as the Peruvian centolla, is a species of king crab, and the only species in the genus Glyptolithodes [3]. The species was briefly placed in the related genus Rhinolithodes after its initial description, but was soon moved to its own genus [3].
G. cristatipes is found off the Pacific coasts of South America, especially Chile and Peru, and extending as far northwards as Southern California [3] and as far south as 33° 35' S [4]. The most closely related genera to Glyptolithodes all live in the Northern Hemisphere, suggesting that Glyptolithodes has migrated from its ancestral home to the Southern Hemisphere, where it is now most abundant [3].
This species shows notable sexual dimorphism, with the males have a right cheliped which is larger than the left [4].
[edit] Physical characteristics
It differs from the Chilean centolla or Argentinian centolla in that it is bigger, it can measure a leg span of 1 meter, it has less spines than the others, and its meat texture is firm and tasty, rich in proteins and low in fats. It is gaining more acceptance around different chefs from Europe and Japan. It is also cheaper than other king crab fished in northern latitudes because there are fishing grounds closer to the coast.
[edit] Habitat
The Peruvian centolla is found in depths below the 600 m to 1000 m zone. At these depths, the dissolved oxygen content starts rising because of the presence of intermediate Antarctic waters. These waters are between 4 to 7 degrees Celsius and have a saline content between 34.45 and 34.6. Like its name suggests, this water current comes from the Antarctic Ocean, and it is under the current of the deep equatorial waters (warm waters), which are known for their low dissolved oxygen content.
[edit] References
- ^ Glyptolithodes (TSN 97961). Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- ^ Glyptolithodes cristatipes (TSN 97962). Integrated Taxonomic Information System.
- ^ a b c d e Joel W. Martin, Carlos A. Sanchez & Ricardo Pereyra (1997). Notes on the distribution of two lithodid crabs (Crustacea: Decapoda: Anomura) from off the coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico. Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Science 96 (2): 78–86.
- ^ a b José Luis Brito M. (2002). Lithodidae registrados frente a San Antonio, Chile central (Crustacea, Anomura). Investigaciones Marinas 30 (1): 57–62. (Spanish)
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