Cycloxanthops novemdentatus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cycloxanthops novemdentatus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Top: Cycloxanthops sexdecimdentatus, Middle and bottom: Cycloxanthops novemdentatus | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Family: | Xanthidae |
| Genus: | Cycloxanthops |
| Species: | C. novemdentatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Cycloxanthops novemdentatus Lockington, 1877[1] | |
| Synonyms | |
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Cycloxanthops novemdentatus, commonly referred to as the ninetooth pebble crab, is a small crab in the family Xanthidae.[1]
Cycloxanthops novemdentatus is typically brown or red in color, but can also be purple.[2] Individuals of this species often have dark or light markings on their shell which are still present after molting, however, shell color may change over time.[3] This organism gets its common name from the two sets of anterolateral teeth on the front edge of its carapace, each set consisting of nine teeth.[2][3] The carapace can reach up to 3.75 inches in width.[2]
Immature individuals can be distinguished from adults by the width of the third and sixth abdominal segments, the length of marginal abdominal hair, a sparse layer of hair on the swimmerets, and the presence of a structure known as a lock mechanism in males.[4] After individuals reach approximately 6.5 mm in carapace width, sexual dimorphism is apparent due to the different size and shape of abdominal segments.[4]
Cycloxanthops novemdentatus is the largest member of the family Xanthidae found in California.[2]
