Polybius holsatus
Species of crab
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Polybius holsatus, sometimes known by the common name flying crab, is a species of swimming crab found chiefly in the North Sea, Irish Sea and English Channel.[2][3] It has a carapace up to 4 centimetres (1.6 in) wide, which is brownish-grey with a green tinge.[4] It is very similar in appearance to the harbour crab Polybius depurator.[4]
| Polybius holsatus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Family: | Polybiidae |
| Genus: | Polybius |
| Species: | P. holsatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Polybius holsatus | |
| Synonyms | |
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The diet of P. holsatus comprises crustaceans, especially juvenile Crangon, molluscs such as Macoma balthica, and fish.[5] P. holsatus sometimes hosts the parasitic barnacle Sacculina.[4]
