BIOTIC Species Information for Necora puber
Researched byMorvan Barnes Data supplied byMarLIN
Refereed byThis information is not refereed
Taxonomy
Scientific nameNecora puber Common nameVelvet swimming crab
MCS CodeS1589 Recent SynonymsLiocarcinus puber

PhylumCrustacea Subphylum
Superclass ClassEumalacostraca
SubclassEucarida OrderDecapoda
SuborderPleocyemata FamilyPortunidae
GenusNecora Speciespuber
Subspecies   

Additional Information
Taxonomy References Hayward et al., 1996, Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b,
General Biology
Growth formArticulate
Feeding methodOmnivore
Herbivore
Predator
Scavenger
Mobility/MovementSwimmer
Crawler
Environmental positionEpifaunal
Epibenthic
Typical food typesInvertebrates such as crustaceans and molluscs and also carrion or even brown algae. More likely to be predatorial at greater depths. HabitFree living
BioturbatorNot relevant FlexibilityNone (< 10 degrees)
FragilityFragile SizeSmall-medium(3-10cm)
HeightNot researched Growth RateNot Researched
Adult dispersal potential10-100m DependencyIndependent
SociabilitySolitary
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 & IrelandFound on all British and Irish coasts.
Global distributionFound 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 rangeTemperate to warm temperate. Depth rangeFound down to 70 m depth.
MigratoryNon-migratory / Resident   
Distribution Additional Information

Substratum preferencesBedrock
Large to very large boulders
Pebbles
Gravel / shingle
Rockpools
Under boulders
Physiographic preferencesOpen coast
Offshore seabed
Strait / sound
Sealoch
Ria / Voe
Estuary
Enclosed coast / Embayment
Biological zoneUpper Eulittoral
Mid Eulittoral
Lower Eulittoral
Sublittoral Fringe
Upper Infralittoral
Lower Infralittoral
Upper Circalittoral
Lower Circalittoral
Wave exposureVery Exposed
Exposed
Moderately Exposed
Sheltered
Very Sheltered
Extremely Sheltered
Tidal stream strength/Water flowField unresearched
SalinityFull (30-40 psu)
Variable (18-40 psu)
Habitat Preferences Additional Information
Distribution References Hayward et al., 1996, Lee et al., 2004, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Ingle, 1980,
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive typeGonochoristic
Developmental mechanismPlanktotrophic
Reproductive SeasonMay Reproductive LocationAs adult
Reproductive frequencyAnnual episodic Regeneration potential Yes
Life span6-10 years Age at reproductive maturity1 year
Generation time1 year Fecundity300,000-450,000
Egg/propagule size490-500 µm Fertilization typeInternal
Larvae/Juveniles
Larval/Juvenile dispersal potentialNot researched Larval settlement period16-20 weeks after hatching
Duration of larval stage1-2 months   
Reproduction Preferences Additional InformationNecora 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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