Tasmanian giant crab
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The Tasmanian giant crab (Pseudocarcinus gigas), also known as the Tasmanian king crab, giant deepwater crab, giant southern crab, queen crab, or bullcrab, is a very large species of crab that resides on rocky and muddy bottoms in the oceans off Southern Australia.[1][2] It is the only extant species in the genus Pseudocarcinus.[3]
Habitat
The Tasmanian giant crab lives on rocky and muddy bottoms in the oceans off Southern Australia on the edge of the continental shelf at depths of Script error: No such module "convert"..[1][2] It is most abundant at Script error: No such module "convert". in the summer and Script error: No such module "convert". in the winter.[2] The seasonal movements generally follow temperature as it prefers Script error: No such module "convert"..[2] The full temperature range where the species can be seen appears to be Script error: No such module "convert"..[4]
Description
The Tasmanian giant crab is one of the largest crabs in the world, reaching a mass of Script error: No such module "convert". and a carapace width of up to Script error: No such module "convert"..[5] Among crabs, only the Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) can weigh more.[4] Male Tasmanian giant crabs reach more than twice the size of females,[6] which do not exceed Script error: No such module "convert"..[5] Males have one normal-sized and one oversized claw (which can be longer than the carapace width[4]), while both claws are normal-sized in females.[5] This crab is mainly whitish-yellow below and red above; the tips of the claws are black.[7] Small individuals are yellowish-and-red spotted above.[4]
Behaviour
The Tasmanian giant crab feeds on carrion and slow-moving species, including gastropods, crustaceans (anomura and brachyura) and starfish.[2][6] Cannibalism also occurs.[2] They breed in June and July, and the female carries the 0.5–2 million eggs for about four months.[6] After hatching, the planktonic larvae float with the current for about two months before settling on the bottom.[4] The species is long-lived and slow-growing; juveniles moult their carapace every three-four years and adult females about once every nine years.[4][5] This greatly limits the breeding frequency, as mating is only possible in the period immediately after the old carapace has been shed, and the new is still soft.[5]
Fishery
The Tasmanian giant crab has been commercially fished in Tasmanian waters since 1992 and a minimum size was established in Australia in 1993.[6] Fishing is typically by pots in water deeper than Script error: No such module "convert"..[5] Following concerns surrounding the sustainability of catch numbers, the total allowable catch was adjusted for 2024/25 quota year to Script error: No such module "convert"..[8] valued at about A$2 million.[8] The Tasmanian giant crab is very long-lived and slow-growing, making it vulnerable to overfishing.[6] Before export, they are sometimes kept alive in tanks with water that is Script error: No such module "convert"..[2]
References
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- ↑ a b Template:SeaLifeBase species
- ↑ a b c d e f g Levings, A.H. & P.C. Gill (2010). Seasonal Winds Drive Water Temperature Cycle and Migration Patterns of Southern Australian Giant Crab Pseudocarcinus gigas. In: G.H. Kruse, G.L. Eckert, R.J. Foy, R.N. Lipcius, B. Sainte-Marie, D.L. Stram, & D. Woodby (eds.), Biology and Management of Exploited Crab Populations under Climate Change. Template:ISBN. doi:10.4027/bmecpcc.2010.09
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