Neolithodes capensis
Species of king crab
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neolithodes capensis, also known as cape stone crab,[2] is a species of king crab that is found in the Southern Ocean and the western Indian Ocean. It has been found to a depth of 660–3,200 metres (2,170–10,500 ft).[3][4][5] They have been found near Cape Point,[1] around the Crozet and Kerguelen Islands in the subantarctic,[6] and in the Bellingshausen Sea on the Antarctic continental slope.[7][8] In 2006, the description of a very similar species from the Ross Sea, N. yaldwyni, introduced the possibility that records from the Antarctic and subantarctic are not N. capensis.[9][10]
| Neolithodes capensis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Anomura |
| Family: | Lithodidae |
| Genus: | Neolithodes |
| Species: | N. capensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Neolithodes capensis | |
Description
Neolithodes capensis has numerous spines covering the surfaces of its carapace, chelipeds, and walking legs.[3] On its underside, thick spines are found on its abdomen, but these lessen in acuity after the second segment.[3] In males, its carapace measures up to 131 mm (5.2 in) in length and 130 mm (5.1 in) in width.[3] Its rostrum ranges from approximately 1⁄8 to 1⁄4 the length of its carapace.[3] Its chelae and dactyli both bear small spines, and the fingers of its chelae additionally feature rows of setae tufts.[3] It closely resembles N. yaldwyni, a king crab of the Southern Ocean.[5]
