Macropodia rostrata

Macropodia rostrata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Inachidae
Genus: Macropodia
Species: M. rostrata
Binomial name
Macropodia rostrata
(Linnaeus, 1761)
Synonyms
  • Cancer rostrata Linnaeus, 1761
  • Cancer rostratus Linnaeus 1761 (basionym)
  • Stenorhynchus rostratus (Linnaeus, 1761)
  • Stenorhynchus rostratus var. spinulosum Miers, 1881

Macropodia rostrata, common names, the common spider crab, long-legged spider crab, long-legged crab, is a species of marine crab in the family Inachidae.[1]

Description

Macropodia rostrata has a hairy, or fuzzy appearance due to algae it applies to itself for camouflage.[2] Both the carapace and pereiopods of this species are greyish to yellowish or reddish-brown in colour, with some specimens showing white markings. The carapace grows to a maxiximum length of 16 (28) mm, with the anterior part is narrowing, giving it a pear shape.[2] The surface of the carapace surface contains numerous hook-setae. From a dorsal view, the eye-stalks are completely visible.[3]

Distribution and ecology

Macropodia rostrata is found around the coasts of Europe and western Africa, from 65° N in Norway to South Africa, including the Mediterranean Sea and parts of the Black Sea. It occurs chiefly at depths of 0–50 metres (0–164 ft), although it can occasionally be found at up to 150 m (490 ft).[4] It is commonly found in muddy sand, and on kelp.[5] Macropodia rostrata can apply algae to its body to camouflage itself. It is easily preyed upon as it is slow moving.[5] is ovigerous all year round, producing larvae between May and January.[3]

Taxonomy

M. rostrata was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1761 work Fauna Suecica, under the name Cancer rostratus.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Peter Davie (2012). "Macropodia rostrata". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved May 23, 2012.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Long Legged Spider Crab - Macropodia rostrata". Seawater.no. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Marine Species Identification Portal : Macropodia rostrata". Species-identification.org. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  4. ↑ Jacques Forest (1978). "Le genre Macropodia Leach dans les eaux atlantiques européennes (Crustacea Brachyura Majidae)" (PDF). Cahiers de Biologie Marine 19: 323–342.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "British Marine Life: Long-legged Spider Crab - Macropodia rostrata". Oceaneyephoto.com. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  6. ↑ Mary J. Rathbun (1900). "The decapod crustaceans of West Africa". Proceedings of the United States National Museum 22 (1199): 271–316. doi:10.5479/si.00963801.22-1199.271.

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