BIOTIC Species Information for Inachus dorsettensis
Researched byRose Edwards Data supplied byMarLIN
Refereed byThis information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific nameInachus dorsettensis Common nameScorpion spider crab
MCS CodeS1526 Recent SynonymsNone
PhylumCrustacea Subphylum
Superclass ClassEumalacostraca
SubclassEucarida OrderDecapoda
SuborderPleocyemata FamilyMajidae
GenusInachus Speciesdorsettensis
Subspecies   
Additional Information
Taxonomy References Crothers & Crothers, 1988, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Ingle, 1997, Ingle, 1980, Howson & Picton, 1997, Ingle, 1996,
General Biology
Growth formArticulate
 Feeding methodOmnivore
Scavenger
Predator
Mobility/MovementCrawler
 Environmental positionEpibenthic
Typical food types HabitFree living
Bioturbator 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 InformationInachus dorsettensis covers itself in tiny pieces of sponge and sea weed to provide camouflage. It is often found living in the tentacles of the snakelocks anemone (see Ingle, 1996 for further details). Max size post pubertal male and females were 35.5 mm and 29.5 mm off the Isle of Mann (Hartnoll et al., 1993).
Biology References Hartnoll et al., 1993,
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandWidely distributed around the British Isles with sparse records along the east coast of England and west coast of Ireland.
Global distributionNorway to S. Africa and Med ( Hayward & Ryland, 1995).
Biogeographic rangeNot researched Depth rangeTo at least 300 m depth (Ingle, 1997).
MigratoryInsufficient information   
Distribution Additional Information
Substratum preferencesPebbles
Coarse clean sand
Fine clean sand
Sandy mud
Mud
Muddy sand
 Physiographic preferencesInsufficient information
Biological zoneInsufficient information
 Wave exposureInsufficient information
Tidal stream strength/Water flowInsufficient information
 SalinityInsufficient information
Habitat Preferences Additional InformationInachus dorsettensis was found to be scarce on coarse substrata and most abundant on muddy sand near the Isle of Mann (Hartnoll et al., 1993).
Distribution References Crothers & Crothers, 1988, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Ingle, 1997, Ingle, 1980, JNCC, 1999, NBN, 2002, Ingle, 1996, Hartnoll et al., 1993,
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typeGonochoristic
 Developmental mechanismPlanktotrophic
Reproductive SeasonAll year round Reproductive LocationInsufficient information
Reproductive frequencyAnnual episodic Regeneration potential No
Life spanInsufficient information Age at reproductive maturityInsufficient information
Generation timeInsufficient information FecundityUp to 5000 eggs
Egg/propagule sizeInsufficient information Fertilization type
Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential>10km Larval settlement periodYear round
Duration of larval stage1-2 months   
Reproduction Preferences Additional InformationFemales carry 3 egg batches per year (Fish & Fish, 1996) - as many as five per year have been reported in the Irish Sea (Bryant & Hartnoll, 1995). Only reproduce after terminal moult (Bryant & Hartnoll, 1995). Breeds all year round. In the lab, time taken for larvae to reach megalopae (the settling stage) approx 2-3 weeks and young crabs from planktonic megalopae took between 2 weeks to > one month (Lebour, 1927). Planktonic life 30 days in summer, longer at other times of year.
Reproduction References Fish & Fish, 1996, Bryant & Hartnoll, 1995, Lebour, 1927,
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