Macropodia spp.

Researched By		Data Supplied By
Refereed by	This information is not refereed.
Taxonomy
Scientific name	Macropodia spp.	Common name	A spider crab
MCS Code	S1529	Recent Synonyms
Phylum	Arthropoda	Subphylum	Crustacea
Superclass		Class	Malacostraca
Subclass	Eumalacostraca	Order	Decapoda
Suborder	Pleocyemata	Family	Inachidae
Genus	Macropodia	Species
Subspecies
Additional Information
Taxonomy References	Hayward & Ryland, 1995b, Howson & Picton, 1997, Hayward et al., 1996
General Biology
Growth form		Feeding method	Omnivore
Mobility/Movement	Crawler	Environmental position	Epibenthic
Typical food types		Habit	Free living
Bioturbator		Flexibility
Fragility	Fragile	Size	Small(1-2cm)
Height		Growth Rate
Adult dispersal potential		Dependency
Sociability	Solitary
Toxic/Poisonous?	No
Additional Information
Biology References	Van Noort & Adema, 1985, Lebour, 1926
Distribution and Habitat
Distribution in Britain & Ireland	All Great Britain
Global distribution	Atlantic, Mediterranean
Biogeographic range	Temperate	Depth range	0-168 m depth
Migratory
Distribution Additional Information	Macropodia linaresi and Macropodia deflexa are limited to the southern and southern/western coasts of the UK respectively.
Substratum preferences	Mixed	Physiographic preferences
Biological zone	Sublittoral Fringe	Wave exposure
Tidal stream strength/Water flow		Salinity
Habitat Additional Information
Distribution References	Ingle, 1996, Ingle, 1980, Crothers & Crothers, 1988, NBN, 2002, JNCC, 1999, Hayward et al., 1996, NBN, 2002
Reproduction/Life History
Reproductive type	Gonochoristic	Developmental mechanism	Planktotrophic
Reproductive Season	All year	Reproductive Location
Reproductive frequency	Annual protracted	Regeneration potential	No
Life span	3-5 years	Age at reproductive maturity	<1 year
Generation time		Fecundity
Egg/propagule size	600 µm diameter	Fertilization type	Internal
Larvae/Juveniles Larval/Juvenile dispersal potential Larval settlement period Duration of larval stage 11-30 days
Additional Information
Reproduction References	Salman, 1981, Lebour, 1926, Gonzalez-Gordillo & Rodriguez, 2001, Ingle, 1982