BIOTIC Species Information for Liocarcinus depurator
Researched byLizzie Tyler Data supplied byUniversity of Sheffield
Refereed byThis information is not refereed.
General Biology
Growth formArticulate
Feeding methodPredator
Scavenger
Mobility/MovementSwimmer
Crawler
Burrower
Environmental positionDemersal
Typical food typesPolychaetes, crustaceans, molluscs, ophiuroids and fishes constitute most of the diet (Freire, 1996). HabitFree living
BioturbatorNot relevant FlexibilityNone (< 10 degrees)
FragilityFragile SizeSmall-medium(3-10cm)
HeightInsufficient information Growth RateInsufficient information
Adult dispersal potential1km-10km DependencyIndependent
SociabilitySolitary
Toxic/Poisonous?No
General Biology Additional Information
  • Size range and size at maturity: values given are for Mediterranean individuals (Muino et al., 1999).
  • Feeding: Swimming crabs may exploit a wide range of dietary items including algae, sponges and many small invertebrates and may be considered omnivorous. However, Liocarcinus depurator is typically a scavenger and a carnivore. Freire et al. (1996) suggest the high diversity of food items in the diet of Liocarcinus depurator is due to the versatile functional structure of the chelipeds.
  • Host for: Abelló et al., (1988) found 5% of individuals in the northwestern Mediterranean infested with the polychaete Iphitime cuenoti. No evidence of disease in the branchial chamber was found and the authors suggest a commensal relationship between the crab and the polychaete. However, the relationship may involve some degree of parasitism. In the Firth of Lorne the parasitic nemertean Carcinonemertes carcinophila was found the gills of over 90% of Liocarcinus depurator sampled (Comely & Ansell, 1989(b)).
Biology References Mori & Zunino, 1987, Abelló et al., 1988, Freire, 1996, Comely & Ansell, 1989(b), Muino et al., 1999, Abelló et al., 1991, Freire et al., 1996, Hayward & Ryland, 1990, Julie Bremner, unpub data,
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