Nectocarcinus tuberculosus

Velvet crab | Nectocarcinus tuberculatus
Nectocarcinus tuberculosus
Nectocarcinus tuberculosus

Distribution

Temperate Australasia


Description

Reddish brown carapace with black fingers on the chelipeds. The species is distinguished from its closest relative, N. integrifrons, by having a small notch at the front of the carapace midway between the eyes. This species is common on exposed coasts, whereas N. integrifrons prefers more sheltered sites.


Information

Max Size: 9 cm

Sea Temperature Range: 10.2-22.3°C

Depth: 0-50m

Habitat Generalization Index: N/A

Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.


Conservation and Rarity

IUCN Status: Not Evaluated

Occurrence: Common (20.5% of sites)

Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed

Abundance: Few (2 per transect)

Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.


Edit by: GJ Edgar. 2008. Australian Marine Life. New Holland, Sydney