Glebocarcinus oregonensis

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Glebocarcinus oregonensis
Glebocarcinus oregonensis.jpg
Scientific classification
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Species:
G. oregonensis
Binomial name
Glebocarcinus oregonensis
(Dana, 1852)  [1]
Synonyms   [1]
  • Trichocera oregonensisDana, 1852
  • Platycarcinus recurvidensBate, 1864
  • Trichocarcinus walkeriHolmes, 1900
  • Lophopanopeus somaterianusRathbun, 1930

Glebocarcinus oregonensis, commonly known as the pygmy rock crab, is a species of crab found on the Pacific coast of North America.

Contents

Description

It is usually red/brown but this may vary; their legs have many setae (hairs). The carapace reaches a width of about 5 centimetres (2 in), and is widest at the 7th or 8th lateral tooth. [2] The chelipeds are black at the tip, and the dactylus of the cheliped has no spiny ridges; the dorsal surface is covered with small tubercles (rounded projections), and males have larger chelipeds than females. [3]

Ecology

Glebocarcinus oregonensis is found mostly in crevices, holes (dead barnacles) and under rocks. [3] They can live in depths of up to 1,400 feet (430 m). [2] They are nocturnal feeders, feeding mostly on small barnacles, snails, bivalves, worms, green algae and Pacific oysters. [3] Predators include Pacific cod, river otters and red rock crab. [3]

Breeding occurs during the summer, and the Puget Sound females carry eggs from November to May. [3] It is not unusual to find harems consisting of one male with as many as seven females. [3] Males may carry females that are molting and continue until their new shell hardens, for mating occurs after females molt. [3]

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<i>Lophopanopeus bellus</i> Species of crab

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<i>Loxothylacus panopaei</i> Species of barnacle

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<i>Sacculina carcini</i> Species of barnacle

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<i>Lithodes aequispinus</i> Species of crustacean

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References

  1. 1 2 Peter K. L. Ng; Danièle Guinot & Peter J. F. Davie (2008). "Systema Brachyurorum: Part I. An annotated checklist of extant Brachyuran crabs of the world" (PDF). Raffles Bulletin of Zoology . 17: 1–286. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-06-06.
  2. 1 2 Mary Jo Adams (December 5, 2005). "Cancer oregonensis (Pygmy rock crab)". Intertidal Organisms EZ-ID Guides. Washington State University Extension - Island County. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Dave Cowles (2005). "Glebocarcinus oregonensis (Dana), Schweitzer and Feldmann, 2000)". Walla Walla University. Archived from the original on July 19, 2009. Retrieved February 3, 2010.

Further reading