| Cancer irroratus | |
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| Cancer irroratus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Crustacea |
| Class: | Malacostraca |
| Order: | Decapoda |
| Infraorder: | Brachyura |
| Family: | Cancridae |
| Genus: | Cancer |
| Species: | C. irroratus |
| Binomial name | |
| Cancer irroratus Say, 1817 |
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Cancer irroratus, common name the Atlantic rock crab or peekytoe crab, is a crab in the genus Cancer. Other local names are Maine crab, bay crab, sand crab and mud crab. It has nine marginal teeth on the front edge of the carapace beside each eye.
This crab species occurs on the eastern coast of North America, from Labrador to Florida.
These crabs are similar in color to, and overlap in size with, the Jonah crab. They can be distinguished from that species because they have larger marginal teeth. They also have a wider range, and are more common in some locations. Both species are edible, but because the Jonah crab can reach a much larger size and has a much larger claw size, the Jonah crab is more intensely fished.
The rock crab has recently become a popular culinary item. The coining of the name "peekytoe crab," referring to the fact that the legs are "picked" (a Maine colloquilism meaning "curved inward").[1] Until about 1997, they were considered a nuisance species by the lobster industry.
Rock crabs live in very shallow waters and are occasionally found well inland from the low tide line.
References
- ^ Filippone, Peggy Trowbridge. "Peekytoe Crab Information". About.com. http://homecooking.about.com/od/seafood/a/peekytoe.htm. Retrieved July 13 2009.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cancer irroratus |
Canada Fisheries and Oceans Stock Status Report 2000
"Cancer irroratus", Animal Diversity Web
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