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Title: Spider Crab Aggregation. England
Filename: UK10_am-25190.jpg
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An aggregation of spider crabs (Maja squinado) in shallow water off the south coast of England in summer (August). Spider crabs move inshore during the calmer summer months. These aggregations seem to be for protection (safety in numbers) while the crabs are moulting, and therefore vunerable. Some mating does occur in these aggregations, but it does not appear to be the primary motivation for the crabs as the majority of individuals are sub-adult. Burton Bradstock, Dorset, England. British Isles. English Channel.
Note that this species should now be Maja brachydactyla. A review of the species complex around M. squinado by Sotelo et al. was able to differentiate between specimens from the Mediterranean Sea and those from the Atlantic, and concluded that the Atlantic specimens, like these, were a separate species, called Maja brachydactyla.
Note that this species should now be Maja brachydactyla. A review of the species complex around M. squinado by Sotelo et al. was able to differentiate between specimens from the Mediterranean Sea and those from the Atlantic, and concluded that the Atlantic specimens, like these, were a separate species, called Maja brachydactyla.
- Alex Mustard/2020VISION
- Atlantic Ocean
- British Isles
- Dorset
- England
- English Channel
- Great Britain
- marine
- spiny spider crab: spider crab: Maja squinado
- temperate
- UK
- United Kingdom
- © Alexander Mustard
- © Alexander Mustard/www.amustard.com