Dungeness Crab

Dungeness Crab

Common Names: Crab and Magister

Description: Shape and size - Typically grows up to 20cm in. They have a wide, long and hard shell.  

Skeleton - Exoskeleton

Symmetry - Bilateral

Features -  These crabs have 5 pairs of legs. They also use small appendages to pass the food particles into its mouth. The digestive system of this crab is called a "gastric mill", which is a collection of tooth-like structures.

Taxonomy: 

Kingdom: Animalia 

Phylum: Athropoda

Class: Malacostraca

Order: Decapoda 

Family: Cancridae

Genus: Metacarcinus

Species: M.Magister

Ecology: Relationship to other organisms- Dungeness Crabs and eel grass's relationship would be predator-prey.

Special Features- These crabs have a flap near their abdomen which allows them to protect their eggs by carrying them in the flap. These crabs have a strong nurturing instinct.