Liocarcinus holsatus

Liocarcinus holsatus, sometimes known by the common name flying crab, is a species of swimming crab found chiefly in the North Sea, Irish Sea and English Channel.[2] It has a carapace up to 4 centimetres (1.6 in) wide, which is brownish-grey with a green tinge.[3] It is very similar in appearance to the harbour crab Liocarcinus depurator.[3]

Liocarcinus holsatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Crustacea
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Infraorder:	Brachyura
Family:	Portunidae
Genus:	Liocarcinus
Species:	L. holsatus
Binomial name
Liocarcinus holsatus (Fabricius, 1798) [1]
Synonyms
Polybius holsatus (Fabricius, 1798) Macropipus holsatus (Fabricius, 1798)

The diet of P. holsatus comprises crustaceans, especially juvenile Crangon, molluscs such as Spisula elliptica, and fish.[4] P. holsatus sometimes hosts the parasitic barnacle Sacculina.[3]

References

1. Michael Türkay & Charles Fransen (2010). "Liocarcinus holsatus (Fabricius, 1798)". World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
2. "EurOBIS distribution records: Liocarcinus holsatus". MarBEF Data System. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
3. "Flying crab - Liocarcinus holsatus". MarLIN - The Marine Life Information Network. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2009.
4. Satish C. Choy (1986). "Natural diet and feeding habits of the crabs Liocarcinus puber and L. holsatus (Decapoda, Brachyura, Portunidae)" (PDF). Marine Ecology Progress Series. 31: 87–99. doi:10.3354/meps031087.