Cancer pagurus

Cancer pagurus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Cancridae
Genus: Cancer
Species:
C. pagurus
Binomial name
Cancer pagurus
Synonyms [1]
  • Cancer fimbriatus Olivi, 1792
  • Platycarcinus pagurus H. Milne-Edwards, 1834
  • Platycarcinus pagurus Couch, 1838
  • Cancer luederwaldti Rathbun, 1930

Cancer pagurus, commonly known as the edible crab or brown crab, is a species of crab found in the North Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, and perhaps the Mediterranean Sea. It is a robust crab of a reddish-brown colour, having an oval carapace with a characteristic "pie crust" edge and black tips to the claws. A mature adult may have a carapace width up to 25 centimetres (10 inches) and weigh up to 3 kilograms (6+12 pounds). C. pagurus is a nocturnal predator, targeting a range of molluscs and crustaceans. It is the subject of the largest crab fishery in Western Europe, centred on the coasts of the Ireland and Britain, with more than 60,000 tonnes caught annually.

  1. ^ Mario J. de Kluijver; Sarita S. Ingalsuo. "Cancer pagurus". Macrobenthos of the North Sea. Universiteit van Amsterdam. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved August 4, 2010.

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