Neolithodes nipponensis
Species of king crab
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Neolithodes nipponensis (Japanese: ニホンイバラガニ, 'Japanese spiny crab')[2]: 12 [3]: 54 is a species of king crab that is found in Japan and Taiwan.[1][4][5] It has been found at depths from 200–1,752 metres (656–5,748 ft).[5]
| Neolithodes nipponensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Suborder: | Pleocyemata |
| Infraorder: | Anomura |
| Family: | Lithodidae |
| Genus: | Neolithodes |
| Species: | N. nipponensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Neolithodes nipponensis Sakai, 1971[1] | |
Description
Neolithodes nipponensis has a rounded pentagonal carapace whose margins are covered in several dozen sharp spines.[1] It has been measured with a carapace length as large as 191 mm (7.5 in).[6] With a legspan of approximately 108 cm (43 in), its walking legs are densely covered with sharp prickles.[1] Its chelipeds are similarly covered in prickles, but these are mixed in with longer spines angled substantially away the from perpendicular.[1] It has a very short rostrum of approximately 1⁄20 the length of its carapace.[1] Its underside has seven abdominal segments which are well-defined and covered with prickles.[1]
Distribution
In 2001, an article was published in Zoosystema which reported N. nipponensis in Fiji.[7] Likewise, in 2003, an article was published in Scientia Marina which reported it in the Solomon Islands.[8] However, both of these appear to be a yet-undescribed species.[9]
Taxonomy
See also
- Neolithodes flindersi, a species which closely resembles N. nipponensis
