BIOTIC Species Information for Necora puber
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| Researched by | Morvan Barnes | Data supplied by | MarLIN | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Necora puber | Common name | Velvet swimming crab | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | S1589 | Recent Synonyms | Liocarcinus puber | ||||||||||||
| Phylum | Crustacea | Subphylum | |||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Eumalacostraca | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Eucarida | Order | Decapoda | ||||||||||||
| Suborder | Pleocyemata | Family | Portunidae | ||||||||||||
| Genus | Necora | Species | puber | ||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Hayward et al., 1996, Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Articulate |
Feeding method | Omnivore Herbivore Predator Scavenger |
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| Mobility/Movement | Swimmer Crawler |
Environmental position | Epifaunal Epibenthic |
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| Typical food types | Invertebrates such as crustaceans and molluscs and also carrion or even brown algae. More likely to be predatorial at greater depths. | Habit | Free living | ||||||||||||
| Bioturbator | Not relevant | Flexibility | None (< 10 degrees) | ||||||||||||
| Fragility | Fragile | Size | Small-medium(3-10cm) | ||||||||||||
| Height | Not researched | Growth Rate | Not Researched | ||||||||||||
| Adult dispersal potential | 10-100m | Dependency | Independent | ||||||||||||
| Sociability | Solitary | ||||||||||||||
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Biology References | Lee et al., 2004, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Ingle, 1980, Crothers & Crothers, 1988, Philippart, 1998, Norman & Jones, 1992, Moore & Howarth, 1996, Kinnear & Mason, 1987, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Found on all British and Irish coasts. | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | Found in north-west Europe from Norway to the Shetlands and south to Spain and the Canary Isles and in the Meditteranean off the coasts of Malta. | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Temperate to warm temperate. | Depth range | Found down to 70 m depth. | ||||||||||||
| Migratory | Non-migratory / Resident | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Bedrock Large to very large boulders Pebbles Gravel / shingle Rockpools Under boulders |
Physiographic preferences | Open coast Offshore seabed Strait / sound Sealoch Ria / Voe Estuary Enclosed coast / Embayment |
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| Biological zone | Upper Eulittoral Mid Eulittoral Lower Eulittoral Sublittoral Fringe Upper Infralittoral Lower Infralittoral Upper Circalittoral Lower Circalittoral |
Wave exposure | Very Exposed Exposed Moderately Exposed Sheltered Very Sheltered Extremely Sheltered |
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| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Field unresearched |
Salinity | Full (30-40 psu) Variable (18-40 psu) |
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| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | Hayward et al., 1996, Lee et al., 2004, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Ingle, 1980, | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction/Life History | |||||||||||||||
| Reproductive type | Gonochoristic |
Developmental mechanism | Planktotrophic |
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| Reproductive Season | May | Reproductive Location | As adult | ||||||||||||
| Reproductive frequency | Annual episodic | Regeneration potential | Yes | ||||||||||||
| Life span | 6-10 years | Age at reproductive maturity | 1 year | ||||||||||||
| Generation time | 1 year | Fecundity | 300,000-450,000 | ||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | 490-500 µm | Fertilization type | Internal | ||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | Necora puber actively select substrata of higher structural complexity, particularly during the nocturnal period. This initial pattern of distribution is soon changed by post-settlement movement of early juvenile instars, which have different habitat requirements and are generally less selective. Despite decapod postlarvae generally being strong swimmers, tidal stream velocities commonly exceed their swimming capabilities and during the postlarval stage, flow plays a major role in dispersal. | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction References | Hearn, 2004, Mene et al., 1991, Lee et al., 2006, Lee et al., 2004, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Ingle, 1980, Crothers & Crothers, 1988, Choy, 1988, Choy, 1991, Norman & Jones, 1993, | ||||||||||||||
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