SPECIES
Japanese spider crab
Macrocheira kaempferi
Extraordinarily long legs give this Japanese deepwater crab an almost otherworldly outline.
The crab moves over the seabed and scavenges or takes other suitable food.
It is part of benthic food webs in deeper coastal waters.
Pacific waters around Japan, especially deeper continental-shelf habitats.
Where does a Japanese spider crab live?
Pacific waters around Japan, especially deeper…
Worth knowing
- Adaptation The crab moves over the seabed and scavenges or takes other suitable food.
- Ecological role It is part of benthic food webs in deeper coastal waters.
- Home Pacific waters around Japan, especially deeper continental-shelf habitats.
How it survives
The crab moves over the seabed and scavenges or takes other suitable food.
Extraordinarily long legs give this Japanese deepwater crab an almost otherworldly outline.
Why relationships matter
It is part of benthic food webs in deeper coastal waters.
Where it lives
Pacific waters around Japan, especially deeper continental-shelf habitats.
Pressures and responses
Fishing pressure and bottom-habitat disturbance.
Use cautious fisheries management and protect vulnerable seabeds.
Sources
- University of Michigan Museum of Zoology — Animal Diversity Web, Macrocheira kaempferi
- GBIF — Macrocheira kaempferi accepted taxon
Records of where it has been seen come live from GBIF; observed interactions from GloBI. Draft — not yet reviewed by a person.