Paralithodes

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Paralithodes
Paralithodes californiensis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Anomura
Family: Lithodidae
Genus: Paralithodes
Brandt, 1848

Paralithodes is a genus of king crabs native to cold waters in the North Pacific Ocean, Okhotsk Sea, Bering Sea and Sea of Japan, but with one species also introduced to far northern Europe. They are medium-large to very large king crabs, and some species are important to commercial fisheries.[1]

Species[edit]

The genus contains the following five species:[1][2]

Image Scientific name Common Name Distribution
Paralithodes brevipes (H. Milne-Edwards & Lucas, 1841) Brown king crab, Hanasaki king crab Northwest Pacific, Okhotsk Sea, Bering Sea
Paralithodes californiensis (Benedict, 1895) California king crab, spiny king crab East Pacific off California
Paralithodes camtschaticus (Tilesius, 1815) red king crab North Pacific, Bering Sea, Okhotsk Sea, Sea of Japan; introduced to oceans off far northern Europe
Paralithodes platypus (Brandt, 1851) blue king crab North Pacific, Bering Sea, Okhotsk Sea, Sea of Japan
Paralithodes rathbuni (Benedict, 1895) California king crab, spiny king crab East Pacific off California and Baja California

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Stevens, B.G., ed. (2014). King Crabs of the World: Biology and Fisheries Management. CRC Press. pp. 3–9, 15–16, 23–24. ISBN 9781439855416.
  2. ^ "Paralithodes J.F. Brandt, 1848". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.

External links[edit]