BIOTIC Species Information for Pilumnus spp.
Researched byDr Paul Somerfield & Prof. Richard Warwick Data supplied byPML
Refereed byThis information is not refereed
Taxonomy
Scientific namePilumnus spp. Common nameA hairy crab
MCS CodeS1614 Recent Synonyms

PhylumCrustacea Subphylum
Superclass ClassEumalacostraca
SubclassEucarida OrderDecapoda
SuborderPleocyemata FamilyPilumnus
GenusPilumnus Species
Subspecies   

Additional Information
Taxonomy References Howson & Picton, 1997,
General Biology
Growth formArticulate
Feeding methodOmnivore
Scavenger
Mobility/MovementCrawler
Environmental positionEpibenthic
Typical food typesInsufficient information HabitFree living
Bioturbator FlexibilityLow (10-45 degrees)
FragilityFragile SizeSmall(1-2cm)
Height Growth RateNot researched
Adult dispersal potentialNot researched DependencyIndependent
SociabilitySolitary
Toxic/Poisonous?No
General Biology Additional Information
Biology References Fish & Fish, 1996,
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & IrelandFound on most British coasts but is more frequent in the south and west.
Global distributionFound in north-west Europe from Norway to northern France and in the Mediterranean off the east coasts of Greece.
Biogeographic rangeTemperate to warm temperate. Depth rangeLWNT to 70 m.
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident   
Distribution Additional Information

Substratum preferencesBedrock
Small boulders
Cobbles
Pebbles
Under boulders
Physiographic preferences
Biological zoneUpper Infralittoral
Lower Infralittoral
Upper Circalittoral
Lower Circalittoral
Circalittoral Offshore
Wave exposure
Tidal stream strength/Water flow SalinityFull (30-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References Fish & Fish, 1996,
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typePermanent hermaphrodite
Developmental mechanismPlanktotrophic
Reproductive SeasonApril to August Reproductive LocationAs adult
Reproductive frequency Regeneration potential No
Life spanInsufficient information Age at reproductive maturityInsufficient information
Generation timeNot researched FecundityInsufficient information
Egg/propagule sizeInsufficient information Fertilization typeInternal
Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potentialNot researched Larval settlement periodAugust to September
Duration of larval stage1-2 months   
Reproduction Preferences Additional Information
Reproduction References Fish & Fish, 1996,
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