Decapods (crabs, lobsters, shrimp etc.) usually have five pairs of legs, but they are only a small subset of crustacean diversity albeit the most familiar subset. Krill, copepods, amphipods, ostracods and isopods (e.g. woodlice, slaters, rolly-pollies) are just a few of the other more familiar, non-decapod groups.
Hmm, I totally didn't know that barnacles were crustaceans! I love learning something new! :-)
--TwoDragons
October 20, 2008
Anonymous said...
If you're squeamish, you might not want to read about another crab/barnacle relationship where the parasitic Sacculina barnacle invades the crab's body and literally takes over its mind and body. http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=53 http://www.hku.hk/ecology/porcupine/por23/23-invertebrates.htm#index5
October 20, 2008
Anonymous said...
Stupid barnacles! They're either on a crab's ass, or getting crabs from promiscuous sex, or shooting up in a Greyhound bathroom. No amount of education can get through to these nitwits. I say, 'Good day!'
October 20, 2008
Neil photographed this meta-crustacean on the beach at Cayucos, CA. It's a purple shore crab (Hemigrapsus nudus), covered with barnacles.
Did you know that barnacles are crustaceans? I didn't, until Neil told me. Turns out there are 1,800 or so species of the sessile suspension feeders. I agree with Neil's assessment that the barnacles didn't pick a very good place to settle. They'll be cast aside when the crab molts. When will barnacles ever learn?
Thanks for the crab, Neil.
[Image]
Here's a picture of my own hand holding what might just be a purple shore crab. But since there are a variety of small crabs that inhabit the western shores of North America (from British Columbia to Baja California), I can't be certain. The little crab was cast back into the tidal pool from whence it came.
[Image]
posted by Raging Wombat at 8:00 AM on Oct 19, 2008
9 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formSheesh, talk about persistent hitchhikers...
October 19, 2008
Looks like a green crab to me. Non-native, they are an unwelcome addition to the West coast's fauna. They make great bait.
October 19, 2008
The first one is a beautiful closeup shot
October 20, 2008
Huh. I didn't know either. I thought they taught us in school that crustaceans had five pairs of legs...
October 20, 2008
Decapods (crabs, lobsters, shrimp etc.) usually have five pairs of legs, but they are only a small subset of crustacean diversity albeit the most familiar subset. Krill, copepods, amphipods, ostracods and isopods (e.g. woodlice, slaters, rolly-pollies) are just a few of the other more familiar, non-decapod groups.
October 20, 2008
Actually, I'm pretty sure that's a Hemigrapsus. Can't tell from this angle if it's oregonensis or nudus, but it's not a green.
October 20, 2008
Hmm, I totally didn't know that barnacles were crustaceans! I love learning something new! :-)
--TwoDragons
October 20, 2008
If you're squeamish, you might not want to read about another crab/barnacle relationship where the parasitic Sacculina barnacle invades the crab's body and literally takes over its mind and body.
http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=53
http://www.hku.hk/ecology/porcupine/por23/23-invertebrates.htm#index5
October 20, 2008
Stupid barnacles! They're either on a crab's ass, or getting crabs from promiscuous sex, or shooting up in a Greyhound bathroom. No amount of education can get through to these nitwits. I say, 'Good day!'
October 20, 2008