Freshwater spider crab

Freshwater spider crab

Taxobox
name = Freshwater spider crab
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Arthropoda
subphylum = Crustacea
classis = Malacostraca
ordo = Decapoda
subordo = Pleocyemata
infraordo = Brachyura
familia = Hymenosomatidae
genus = "Halicarcinus"
species = "H. lacustris"
binomial = "Halicarcinus lacustris"
binomial_authority = Chilton, 1882

The freshwater spider crab, "Halicarcinus lacustris", is a spider crab of the family Hymenosomatidae found in lakes and slow-flowing streams and rivers in south east Australia including the Norfolk Islands, and New Zealand. It is the only species of freshwater crab in New Zealand. It grows to around 10 mm in shell width.

Unlike marine crabs, the young hatch directly from the eggs carried under the folded tail of their mothers, as with freshwater crayfish. They are detritivores, feeding on both animal and vegetable material found in the organic silt of their habitat. Freshwater spider crabs have small pincers, not very effective as protection against predators like eels and other fish, causing them to spend daylight hours in crevices in fallen logs and under rocks. Their eyes are not very effective in bright sunlight, and they prefer shaded areas.

External links

* [http://www.crayfishworld.com/nz.htm CrayfishWorld]
* [http://www.waitakere.govt.nz/AbtCit/ei/EcoWtr/macroinv/halicarcinus.asp Waitakere City Council]
* [http://www.seafriends.org.nz/enviro/crust/class.htm Seafriends]


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