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Japanese spider crab

Japanese spider crab
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Suborder: Pleocyemata
Infraorder: Brachyura
Family: Macrocheiridae
Genus: Macrocheira
De Haan, 1839
Species:
M. kaempferi
Binomial name
Macrocheira kaempferi
(Temminck, 1836)
Synonyms [1]
  • Maja kaempferi Temminck, 1836
  • Inachus kaempferi (Temminck, 1836)
  • Kaempferia kaempferi (Temminck, 1836)

The Japanese spider crab (Macrocheira kaempferi) is a species of marine crab and is the biggest one that lives in the waters around Japan. At around 3.7 meters, it has the largest leg-span of any arthropod. The Japanese name for this species is taka-ashi-gani, (Japanese: タカアシガニ), literally translating to “tall legs crab”. It goes through three main larval stages along with a prezoeal stage to grow to its great size.[2]

The genus Macrocheira contains multiple species. 7,001 fossil species of this genus have been found: M. ginzanensis and M. yabei, both from the Miocene of Japan.[3][4] Its diverse taxonomic history is an important part of what these creatures are and how they evolved to be what they are today. They are sought by crab fisheries, and are considered a delicacy in Japan. To prevent overexploitation from harming the species, conservation efforts have been put in place to protect them and their population from overfishing.[5]

The Japanese spider crab is similar in appearance to the much smaller European spider crab (Maja squinado), though the latter, while within the same superfamily, belongs to a different family: the Majidae.

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