Cancer irroratus
Encyclopedia
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 South Carolina
. Rock crabs live over a large depth range, from well above the low tide line to as deep as 2600 feet (792.5 m).
. 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.
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Common name
A common name of a taxon or organism is a name in general use within a community; it is often contrasted with the scientific name for the same organism...
the Atlantic rock crab, or peekytoe crab, is a crab
Crab
True crabs are decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura, which typically have a very short projecting "tail" , or where the reduced abdomen is entirely hidden under the thorax...
in the genus Cancer
Cancer (genus)
Cancer is a genus of marine crabs in the family Cancridae. It includes 8 extant species and 3 extinct species, including familiar crabs of the littoral zone, such as the European edible crab , the Jonah crab and the red rock crab...
. 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
Carapace
A carapace is a dorsal section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tortoises, the underside is called the plastron.-Crustaceans:In crustaceans, the...
beside each eye.
Distribution
Labrador
Labrador is the distinct, northerly region of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It comprises the mainland portion of the province, separated from the island of Newfoundland by the Strait of Belle Isle...
to South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. Rock crabs live over a large depth range, from well above the low tide line to as deep as 2600 feet (792.5 m).
Description
These crabs are similar in color to, and overlap in size with, the Jonah crabJonah crab
The Jonah crab, Cancer borealis, is a species of crab found on the Atlantic coast of North America. It is closely related to the Dungeness crab of the Pacific coast, and is known for its strong claws, although it is not a very aggressive species. It has been fished on a small scale since the 1970s,...
. 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.
Fisheries
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 colloquialism meaning "curved inward"). Until about 1997, they were considered a nuisance species by the lobster industry because they would eat the bait from lobster trapLobster trap
Not to be confused with Lobster-tailed potA lobster trap or lobster pot is a portable trap that traps lobsters or crayfish and is used in lobster fishing. A lobster trap can hold several lobsters. Lobster traps are constructed of wire and wood. An opening permits the lobster to enter a tunnel of...
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