MarLIN

information on the biology of species and the ecology of habitats found around the coasts and seas of the British Isles

Wrinkled swimming crab (Liocarcinus corrugatus)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.

Summary

Description

The carapace of Liocarcinus corrugatus reaches up to 43 mm in length and 41 mm in breadth. It is a reddish-brown in colour, sometimes with red or yellow patches. The carapace has numerous distinctive transverse ridges giving a 'corrugated' appearance. There are 5 prominent antero-lateral teeth on each side of the carapace and the margin of the frontal region has a shallow median lobe and a pair of very broad concave sub-median lobes.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Liocarcinus corrugatus is a southern species that is found on south and west coasts of England and Ireland and in west Scotland. It is also common in Orkney.

Global distribution

Recorded south from the British Isles to the Mediterranean.

Habitat

Found on coarse sand and gravel down to 100 m.

Depth range

-

Identifying features

  • The transverse ridges of the carapace bear fringes of small bristles.
  • Anterolateral teeth on the carapace are all approximately of equal size.

Additional information

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Listed by

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Further information sources

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Bibliography

  1. Campbell, A.C., 1982. The Hamlyn guide to the flora and fauna of the Mediterranean Sea. London: Hamlyn.

  2. Crothers, J. & Crothers, M., 1988. A key to the crabs and crab-like animals of British inshore waters. Somerset, England: Field Studies Council. [AIDGAP guide, no. 155.]

  3. Hayward, P., Nelson-Smith, T. & Shields, C. 1996. Collins pocket guide. Sea shore of Britain and northern Europe. London: HarperCollins.

  4. Hayward, P.J. & Ryland, J.S. (ed.) 1995b. Handbook of the marine fauna of North-West Europe. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

  5. Hiscock, K., Southward, A., Tittley, I., Jory, A. & Hawkins, S., 2001. The impact of climate change on subtidal and intertidal benthic species in Scotland. Scottish National Heritage Research, Survey and Monitoring Report , no. 182., Edinburgh: Scottish National Heritage

  6. Howson, C.M. & Picton, B.E., 1997. The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Belfast: Ulster Museum. [Ulster Museum publication, no. 276.]

  7. Ingle, R.W., 1980. British Crabs. Oxford: British Museum (Natural History), Oxford University Press.

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Skewes, M. 2005. Liocarcinus corrugatus Wrinkled swimming crab. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. (eds) Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 26-04-2018]. Available from: https://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/1613

Last Updated: 17/11/2005