BIOTIC Species Information for Homarus gammarus
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| Researched by | Morvan Barnes | Data supplied by | MarLIN | ||||||||||||
| Refereed by | This information is not refereed | ||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy | |||||||||||||||
| Scientific name | Homarus gammarus | Common name | Common lobster | ||||||||||||
| MCS Code | S1400 | Recent Synonyms | |||||||||||||
| Phylum | Crustacea | Subphylum | |||||||||||||
| Superclass | Class | Eumalacostraca | |||||||||||||
| Subclass | Eucarida | Order | Decapoda | ||||||||||||
| Suborder | Pleocyemata | Family | Nephropidae | ||||||||||||
| Genus | Homarus | Species | gammarus | ||||||||||||
| Subspecies | |||||||||||||||
| Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Taxonomy References | Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Campbell, 1994, Ulrich et al., 2002, Triantafyllidis et al., 2005, | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology | |||||||||||||||
| Growth form | Articulate |
Feeding method | Scavenger Omnivore |
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| Mobility/Movement | Crawler |
Environmental position | Demersal Epifaunal Epibenthic |
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| Typical food types | A variety of live molluscs and crustaceans as well as carrion. | Habit | Free living | ||||||||||||
| Bioturbator | Not researched | Flexibility | Low (10-45 degrees) | ||||||||||||
| Fragility | Intermediate | Size | Medium-large(21-50cm) | ||||||||||||
| Height | Not researched | Growth Rate | 3 cm / year (carapace length) | ||||||||||||
| Adult dispersal potential | >10km | Dependency | Independent | ||||||||||||
| Sociability | Solitary | ||||||||||||||
| Toxic/Poisonous? | No | ||||||||||||||
| General Biology Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Biology References | Allen, 1895, Smith et al., 2001, Sheehy et al., 1996, Ingle, 1997, Beal et al., 2002, Mente et al., 2001, Sheehy et al., 1999, Bannister, 1998, Collins et al., 1992, Kurmaly et al., 1990, | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution and Habitat | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution in Britain & Ireland | Found on all British and Irish coasts. | ||||||||||||||
| Global distribution | Found in western Europe from Norway and the Shetland Isles south to Morocco, the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. | ||||||||||||||
| Biogeographic range | Temperate to warm temperate. | Depth range | LWST to 60 m. | ||||||||||||
| Migratory | Seasonal (reproduction) | ||||||||||||||
| Distribution Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Substratum preferences | Bedrock Crevices / fissures Caves Large to very large boulders |
Physiographic preferences | Enclosed coast / Embayment Offshore seabed Strait / sound Open coast |
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| Biological zone | Circalittoral Offshore Lower Circalittoral Upper Circalittoral Lower Infralittoral Upper Infralittoral |
Wave exposure | Moderately Exposed Exposed Sheltered |
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| Tidal stream strength/Water flow | Insufficient information |
Salinity | Full (30-40 psu) |
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| Habitat Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution References | Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Hayward et al., 1996, Smith et al., 2001, NBN, 2002, JNCC, 1999, Picton & Costello, 1998, Addison & Bannister, 1984, Ingle, 1997, Linnane et al., 2000, Bannister, 1998, Collins et al., 1992, | ||||||||||||||
| Reproduction/Life History | |||||||||||||||
| Reproductive type | Gonochoristic |
Developmental mechanism | Planktotrophic |
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| Reproductive Season | June to August | Reproductive Location | As adult | ||||||||||||
| Reproductive frequency | Annual protracted | Regeneration potential | Yes | ||||||||||||
| Life span | 11-20 years | Age at reproductive maturity | 6-10 years | ||||||||||||
| Generation time | Not researched | Fecundity | Up to 100,000 or more | ||||||||||||
| Egg/propagule size | ca. 1.5 mm | Fertilization type | External | ||||||||||||
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| Reproduction Preferences Additional Information | |||||||||||||||
| Reproduction References | Agnalt, 2008, Bennett & Howard, 1987, Lizarraga-Cubedo et al., 2003, Addison & Bannister, 1984, Free et al., 1992, Hepper & Gough, 1978, Tully et al., 2001, Beal et al., 2002, | ||||||||||||||
BIOTIC - Biological Traits Information Catalogue
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