Callinectes sapidus
Callinectes sapidus
Callinectes sapidus (pronunciation: /kəˈlɪnɛktiːz ˈsæpɪdəs/), commonly known as the Atlantic blue crab or simply 'blue crab', is a species of crab native to the waters of the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
Etymology
The name Callinectes sapidus is derived from the Greek words 'kallos' (meaning 'beautiful'), 'nectes' (meaning 'swimmer'), and the Latin word 'sapidus' (meaning 'savory'). Thus, the scientific name translates to 'beautiful savory swimmer'.
Description
Callinectes sapidus is a decapod crab of the swimming crab family Portunidae. The blue crab is so named because of its sapphire-tinted claws. Its shell, or carapace, is actually a mottled brownish color, and mature females have red highlights on the tips of their pincers.
Habitat and Distribution
Callinectes sapidus is native to the western Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, but it has been introduced elsewhere, including the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Diet
The diet of Callinectes sapidus consists mainly of bivalves, small fish, plants, and almost any other food it can find, including carrion, and is thus considered an omnivore.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Callinectes sapidus
- Wikipedia's article - Callinectes sapidus
This WikiMD article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski