European Spider Crab [Maja squinado]
Description
The European Spider Crab, known scientifically as Maja squinado, is the largest species of crab in the Mediterranean Sea. This species can be identified by its large size, reaching up to 60 cm in width, and its distinctive triangular body shape. Its body is covered in small spines, giving it a rough texture. Their coloration varies from orange to red-brown. They are found in rocky substrates and seagrass beds, typically in shallow waters but they have been recorded at depths of up to 90 meters. They are omnivorous and feed on a variety of organisms including mollusks, small crustaceans, and detritus.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Arthropods
Arthropoda
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Crustaceans
Malacostraca
|
| Order |
Decapods
Decapoda
|
| Family |
Spider Crabs
Majidae
|
| Genus |
European Spider Crab
Maja
|