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Munida quadrispina Benedict, 1902
Squat Lobster
Family: Galatheidae

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

Photograph

© Aaron Baldwin     (Photo ID #56460)

Map

E-Fauna BC Static Map

Distribution of Munida quadrispina in British Columbia in British Columbia

Species Information

Carapace longer than wide. 6 spines on gastric area; 4 in one line, and 1 on each side of the ridge near the hepatic region. 8 to 10 marginal spines. Rostrum long and compressed and minutely spined. Chelipeds with numerous spines and narrow fingers. Walking legs compressed and armed with short spines. Abdomen ridged but not spined except for minute spines on tail fan. Males with paired uniramous gonopods on 1st and 2nd abdominal segments. Female with small paired pleopods on segments 2 to 5.

Size

Length 35 mm; large specimens, up to 67 mm, often taken in fjords, are probably an undescribed species.

Colour

Carapace and abdomen red-brown overall, ventrally lighter or white; ridges red with grooves white, and blue spots in cervical groove. Chelipeds with red spines; fingers red with distinct white tips. Walking legs with irregular light bands. Tail fan light coloured.

Habitat


Rocky areas, gravel, mud and sponge beds. They are predators on other crustacea and can do considerable damage in shrimp traps.

Distribution

Range

Sitka, Alaska, to Los Coronados Islands, Mexico; from 22 to 1463 m.
Distribution In British Columbia

Type locality is Albatross Station 2878, off Cape Beale; 121 m. Widespread. A careful study of material at hand will probably reveal undescribed species.

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