|
Cancer productus (Red rock crab)
Copyright © 2008
Mary Jo Adams
Cancer productus is one of the larger crabs seen in the Salish Sea area. Males may attain a carapace width in excess of 7 inches (18 cm.) and females are somewhat smaller with a maximum width to 6 inches (15 cm.).The carapace of adults is deep brick red in color and has 5 teeth that protrude anteriorly between the eyes. Nine teeth that line the edge of the carapace lateral to each eye have a somewhat fluted appearance, like pie crust. Carapace shape has been described as being fan shaped or shaped like the letter “D”. The pinchers have black tips. Juvenile red rock crabs are quite variable in carapace color and pattern, the patterns sometimes being quite exotic.
Cancer productus is a predator and scavenger. This species preys on bivalves, polychaetes, amphipods, snails, barnacles, and smaller crabs. They are found in a variety of habitats ranging from quiet estuaries to higher energy beaches and in substrates of mud, sand, gravel, cobble, and boulders. In addition, they range from the intertidal to a depth of 260 feet (80 meters).
This species has previously been known under the scientific names Platycarcinus productus and Cancer perlatus. Other common names include red cancer crab and red crab.
This
page was created by Mary Jo Adams on 11/3/08.
|
