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Gastroptychus iaspis Baba & Haig, 1990
Squat Lobster
Family: Chirostylidae

Species account author: Josephine Hart.
Extracted from Crabs and their relatives of British Columbia.

Photograph

© Aaron Baldwin     (Photo ID #2406)

Map

E-Fauna BC Static Map

Distribution of Gastroptychus iaspis in British Columbia in British Columbia

Species Information

Carapace subequal in length and width, lateral margins curved, surface covered with sharp spines which decrease in size posteriorly. Rostrum styliform. Chelipeds very long and slender with rows of sharp slender spines on all parts except fingers. Slender spined walking legs about ¾ length of chelipeds. Spines on abdominal segments 1, 2 and 6 and on pleural margins. Eyestalk short and pigmented; cornea not dilated.

Size

Carapace: female 19 x 17 mm.

Colour

Carapace: anterior bluish pink, laterally pale pink and white; posterior white. Spines orange. Chelipeds orange with white palms and fingers. Walking legs orange becoming paler on dactyls. Antennules, antennae and eyestalk orange; cornea black.

Habitat


Abyssal muddy sand.

Distribution

Range

Southwestern Vancouver Island (48°13’N, 126°18.5’W), to west of the Columbia River mouth, Washington; from 914 to 951 m.
Distribution In British Columbia

As above, from 951 m.

Status Information

Origin StatusProvincial StatusBC List
(Red Blue List)
COSEWIC
UnlistedUnlistedUnlistedUnlisted



BC Ministry of Environment: BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer--the authoritative source for conservation information in British Columbia.

General References