Liocarcinus 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] It has a carapace up to 4 centimetres (1.6 in) wide, which is brownish-grey with a green tinge.[3] It is very similar in appearance to the harbour crab Liocarcinus depurator.[3]

Liocarcinus holsatus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Polybiidae
Genus: Liocarcinus
Species:
L. holsatus
Binomial name
Liocarcinus holsatus
(Fabricius, 1798) [1]
Synonyms
  • Polybius holsatus (Fabricius, 1798)
  • Macropipus holsatus (Fabricius, 1798)

The diet of P. holsatus comprises crustaceans, especially juvenile Crangon, molluscs such as Spisula elliptica, and fish.[4] P. holsatus sometimes hosts the parasitic barnacle Sacculina.[3]

References

edit
  1. ^ Michael Türkay & Charles Fransen (2010). "Liocarcinus holsatus (Fabricius, 1798)". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
  2. ^ "EurOBIS distribution records: Liocarcinus holsatus". MarBEF Data System. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  3. ^ a b c "Flying crab - Liocarcinus holsatus". MarLIN - The Marine Life Information Network. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
  4. ^ Satish C. Choy (1986). "Natural diet and feeding habits of the crabs Liocarcinus puber and L. holsatus (Decapoda, Brachyura, Portunidae)" (PDF). Marine Ecology Progress Series. 31: 87–99. Bibcode:1986MEPS...31...87C. doi:10.3354/meps031087.