Large spider crab. The Japanese spider crab (lat. Macrocheira kaempferi) is one of the largest arthropods on the planet. History of the study of the giant Japanese crab spider

Crabs belong to the class Higher crayfish, phylum Arthropods, order. You can meet these animals everywhere on our planet. Crabs have five pairs of limbs. The first of them has long ago turned into quite powerful claws. The sizes of these animals depend on the species. Typically, the width of an arthropod's shell varies from two to thirty centimeters.

Variety of species

Land crabs are the most common species on European coasts. They can be found on the surf strip with soft soil. The swimming crab also lives there. In this animal, the last pair of limbs are small lobes. Crabs of this species are excellent swimmers. They get their food in the water. The closest relative of these two species is the Chinese crab. The spider, also known as a giant crab, lives near the Japanese islands in the waters Pacific Ocean.

The largest arthropod

Japanese spider crab belongs to the family Majidae. The scientific name of the arthropod is Latin - Macrocheira kaempferi. His crab was named after Engelbert Kaempfer, a German naturalist and traveler. This crustacean was first described in 1836 by Conrad Jacob Temminck, a Dutch zoologist.

The Japanese spider crab (see photo below) is the largest of all arthropods.

The largest individuals of this type of crab have a carapace length of up to forty-five centimeters. Moreover, they have rather long legs. It should be said that the span of the first pair can reach three meters. This crab is equipped with forty-centimeter claws. They serve arthropods powerful weapon. There are individuals whose maximum body length including legs reaches four meters.

The chest and head of the Japanese crab are covered with a short and flat carapace ending in a sharp rostrum. The protection of the arthropod is provided by numerous spines and tubercles. They are located in the upper part of the carapace. The weight of these giants is often twenty kilograms.

At the depths of the ocean there is high blood pressure, created by the water column. However, the giant crab's shell is protected from being crushed by a layer of durable chitin.

The joints of the animal's legs are designed in a special way. They only allow him to move sideways. The surfaces of the cartilage in the joint are very smooth. This significantly reduces friction.

Japanese spider crab - with an orange body. His legs are decorated with white spots. The crab's eyes are located on the front of the head. Two spikes stick out between them.

Nutrition and reproduction

The Japanese spider crab does the same work on the ocean floor as it does on land. It feeds on the skeletons of dead animals, mollusks and plants.

It is believed that this arthropod can live up to a hundred years. Individuals of this species are found at a depth of one hundred and fifty to eight hundred meters. With the onset of spring, the crabs rise closer to the surface. At this time they can be found at a depth of fifty meters. Why is this happening? It is at this depth that crabs engage in the continuation of their kind. During this period there is a ban on catching them.

During spawning, one female can lay one and a half million eggs. However, only a small number of them can survive to reproductive age. Small crabs are hunted by predatory inhabitants of the ocean. Those larger individuals become prey for humans. The Japanese spider crab is capable of reproducing offspring from the age of ten.

Eating

This delicious product is perfect for those who want to get rid of extra pounds. Coarse fibers help in this process, which large quantities found in crab meat. The product is rich in taurine, iodine, vitamins and many other elements beneficial to human health.

The Japanese giant crab is often caught for food purposes. Only young individuals that have not had time to give birth are suitable for fishing. The meat of such crabs is considered very tender. It is a delicacy everywhere. Unfortunately, catching these arthropods is causing their population to decline.

And now as for the adults. Due to the fact that their diet consists of shellfish, carrion and everything that is on enormous depth, the meat of such spider crabs acquires a bitter taste. Therefore, it is not suitable for gastronomic purposes. If such a specimen gets caught in a fishermen's net, it is sold to a terrarium or water park to the delight of visitors.

Record crab

Quite recently, a huge specimen of this arthropod species was caught. He was given the nickname Crab-Kong. The size of this specimen in diameter is three meters. The distance between the claws exceeds 240 cm. But this crab will still grow. When he becomes an adult, he can easily ride a car.

Caught in fishing nets southwest of Tokyo, in the Suruga Bay area. Due to the fact that the gastronomic qualities of the meat of this animal are very highly valued, the fishermen initially planned to make soup from it. However, the crab was lucky. The fishermen contacted Robin James, a biologist who had recently visited their village.

Currently, Kong Crab is kept at the Weymouth Sea Life Park, which is located in the English city of Weysmouth. This fifteen-kilogram monster is the largest crab ever kept in captivity.

Crab Kong, which is a real miracle depths of the sea, will not be in Weysmouth for long. After some time, it is planned to transport it to Munich and place it in the Sea Life center.

Despite the fact that this specimen is considered the largest of those kept in captivity, it is believed that the Japanese spider crab can reach such a size when the distance between its claws exceeds three and a half meters.

A young spider crab can only grow if it sheds its outer hard shell. Beneath it there is a soft internal one, which the arthropod must have time to inflate before hardening.

In the event that a crab is accidentally left without a leg, it will certainly grow a new one. Sometimes spider crabs wash up on the shore sea wave. If an animal gets entangled in a dam between stones, it will not be able to survive.

Class: Crustacea = Crustaceans, crayfish
Subclass: Malacostraca = Higher crayfish
Order: Decapoda = Decapod crustaceans (crayfish, crabs...)
Infraorder: Brachyura Latreille, 1802 = Crabs, short-tailed crayfish
Family: Inachidae Macleay, 1838 = Inachidae

Genus: Macrocheira De Haan, 1839 = Spider Crabs

Read more: Fiddler Crab

Species: Macrocheira kaempferi Temminck, 1836 = Japanese spider crab

The Japanese spider crab is a species of crustacean from the infraorder of crabs (Brachyura). This species received its scientific Latin name Macrocheira kaempferi in honor of the German traveler and naturalist Engelbert Kaempfer, who lived in Lemgo, Germany and was described in 1836 by zoologist Conrad Jacob Temminck from Holland. This is one of the largest representatives of the world's arthropod fauna. The largest individuals of the Japanese spider crab reach 45 cm in carapace length, and the span of the first pair of legs reaches 3 m, and the maximum length of the body with legs reaches 4 m. The crab is equipped with very powerful weapons - 40 cm claws.

The Japanese spider crab lives in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Japan at various depths. Its body weight reaches 20 kg. Average length The cephalothorax (body) without legs is 30-35 cm. The optimal depth of their habitat is 150-300 m, but more often they are found at a depth of about 200-300 m. And only during reproduction when laying eggs in spring period Japanese spider crab rises up to 50 m.

It feeds mainly on mollusks, as well as the remains of dead animals. It is believed that the Japanese spider crab lives up to 100 years.

The Japanese spider crab is widely used for food, scientific and ornamental purposes, and is often kept in large aquariums. In the spring, during oviposition, crab fishing is completely prohibited. This is the only one modern look genus Macrocheira. But in ancient times inhabited by its other relatives, since there are two reports of fossil finds of the species †M. longirostra and †M. teglandi. The taxonomy of these crustaceans has not yet been completely established, therefore this genus is classified either in the family Inachidae or Majidae, or in an independent family Macrocheiridae Dana, 1851.

Japanese spider crab - this one major representative arthropods, inhabitants of the Pacific Ocean, can most easily be found in the area of the islands of Honshu and Kyushu. Here, adult individuals are most often used as a very decorative and unusual animal for aquariums. These giants are truly exotic decorations for any interior. The size of this “monster” is truly amazing, since the Japanese spider crab, also called a giant crab (in English: Giant spider crab) with elongated limbs can reach 4 m! At the same time, males larger than females.

The largest adult crabs are not suitable for fishing, as they say that their meat is already tasteless. And all due to the fact that they live at a fairly large depth where they most often feed on carrion (fish and shellfish), which over time gives the crab meat a bitter taste. Young crabs that have not yet reached sexual maturity and have not brought offspring are used for fishing. It is their meat that is considered very tender and is a delicacy everywhere, which greatly influences the reduction of their population. This is why Japanese spider crabs need protection, especially during oviposition in the spring when they gather in shallow water. During spawning, females lay about 1.5 million eggs, but only a small proportion of them survive to adulthood. The Japanese spider crab becomes sexually mature approximately when it reaches 10 years of age. Although their average lifespan is 50 years, sometimes there are specimens up to a hundred years old. ......

The Japanese spider crab is the largest representative of all arthropods in the Pacific Ocean. You can find it in the area of the islands of Honshu and Kyushu. Adults are most often used as ornamental animals for aquariums. Exotic decoration, to say the least.

The size of the Japanese “monster” is truly amazing. The small body - the cephalothorax without legs - reaches a length of no more than 60 cm, but with elongated limbs it can reach up to 4 m! Weight adult reaches 20 kg. Males are larger than females.

Adult crabs are not suitable for fishing. Their meat, you see, is tasteless. And all due to the fact that they live at a sufficient depth (300-400 m) and feed most often on carrion (fish and shellfish), which over time gives the crab meat a bitter taste. Young crabs that have not yet reached sexual maturity and have not brought offspring are used for fishing. Their meat is considered the most tender and is a delicacy. This greatly reduces their population. Therefore, the crab needs protection.

In the spring, during oviposition, crab fishing is prohibited. During this period they move to shallow water. Females lay about 1.5 million eggs, but up to adult life Only a small part of them survive. But they also face danger in the form of humans.

The “spider” becomes sexually mature at about 10 years of age. This is despite the fact that the average life expectancy is 50 years, and sometimes there are specimens up to a hundred years old.

The crab is equipped with powerful weapons - 40-centimeter claws.

And it got its name, as you probably already guessed, due to its striking resemblance to a spider. Well, what can I say, nature can’t do anything like that.

Still think that crab is just an exquisite delicacy? What do you think of the Japanese spider crab or giant crab (lat. Macrocheira kaempfer), whose body length together with paws is 4 meters? By the way, he is considered the most great representative arthropods on our planet.

However, the giant crab is still eaten. True, for fishing they choose very young individuals who have not yet had time to give birth to offspring: their meat, you see, is tender and soft. Of course, this greatly affects total number Japanese crabs.

Let's find out more about them...

I saw this photo on the Internet a long time ago and assumed that it was some kind of photoshop or a stuffed animal

The Japanese spider crab lives in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Japan at various depths. Its body weight reaches 20 kg. The average length of the cephalothorax (body) without legs is 30-35 cm. The optimal depth of their habitat is 150-300 m, but more often they are found at a depth of about 200-300 m. And only during reproduction during oviposition in the spring, the Japanese spider crab rises up to 50 m.

It feeds mainly on mollusks, as well as the remains of dead animals. It is believed that the Japanese spider crab lives up to 100 years.

The Japanese spider crab is widely used for food, scientific and ornamental purposes, and is often kept in large aquariums. In the spring, during oviposition, crab fishing is completely prohibited. It is the only living species of the genus Macrocheira. But in ancient times, its other relatives lived, since there are two reports of fossil finds of the species †M. longirostra and †M. teglandi. The taxonomy of these crustaceans has not yet been fully established, therefore this genus is classified either in the family Inachidae or Majidae, or in an independent family Macrocheiridae Dana, 1851.

The Japanese spider crab, the largest representative of arthropods inhabiting the Pacific Ocean, can most easily be found in the area of the islands of Honshu and Kyushu. Here, adult individuals are most often used as a very decorative and unusual animal for aquariums. These giants are truly exotic decorations for any interior. The size of this “monster” is truly amazing, since the Japanese spider crab, also called a giant crab (in English: Giant spider crab) with elongated limbs can reach 4 m! Moreover, males are larger than females.

The first biologist to publish a description amazing creature, was a German naturalist and explorer Engelbert Kampfer. Since then, namely in 1727, the giant crab has become known to Western scientists. For the first time, information about a huge spider crab is found in ancient Japanese literature. The spider crab got its name because there is an amazing similarity with the insect of the same name.

A record crab was recently caught. This huge crab has already received the nickname "Crab Kong" » , but it will still grow. The size of the giant crab reaches 3 meters in diameter, and when it becomes an adult, it will be able to ride a car.

The Japanese spider crab was caught in the Suraga Bay area southwest of Tokyo. Gastronomic qualities Spider crab is highly prized and was originally intended to be used to make soup.

Luckily for the crab, the fishermen contacted biologist Robin James from Weymouth Sea Life, who visited the village just a few weeks ago.

And the 40-year-old crab, before moving permanently to Munich, is the centerpiece of a Dorset theme park.

Weymouth Sea Life employees are confident that Crab Kong has “outdone” its 15kg predecessor Crabzilla ( Crabzilla) and is the largest crab ever seen in captivity.

The head and thorax of Japanese crabs are covered with a flat and short carapace, which ends in a spiny ostrostrum. Upper part The carapace is equipped with numerous tubercles and spines that serve as protection. The weight of these terrible giants easily reaches 20 kg.

Interestingly, this species belongs to the order of decapods, and this is already one of the most famous orders of crustaceans. Our usual crayfish, who has long become a character in many children's fairy tales. Who would have thought that he had such an outstanding relative!

The giant crab is the only one well-known representative genus Macrocheira, but there are reports of two fossil finds of its close relatives (†M. longirostra and †M. Teglandi). Who knows, maybe some interesting relative of the Japanese spider crab will be discovered at great depths.

Giant Crab in Blackpool | Source: Dave Thompson/PA

Senior Marine Curator Chris Brown prepares to relocate a Japanese spider crab called “Big Daddy” to new home at the Marine Animal Center in Blackpool. A giant Japanese spider crab with a claw span of three meters will now take up residence in the Golden Mile enclosure. This is the most large crab, living in a zoo in Europe.

The giant spider crab is so huge that if it wanted to walk along the shore, it could theoretically step over a small van of vacationers. Luckily for us, he remains underwater.

There is high pressure at depth, but a layer of durable chitin protects the shell from being pressed in. The spider crab's leg joints are designed to allow it to move only sideways. Smooth cartilage surfaces reduce friction. Two muscles within each leg segment attach to rods in the next segment. One muscle flexes the joint, the second one straightens it again.

Did you know?

A young spider crab can only grow to adult size if it sheds its hard outer shell. The old shell is discarded, and underneath it a soft inner shell is revealed, which the crab inflates to large sizes before it hardens.

If a spider crab accidentally loses a leg, it grows a new one that gets longer with each molt.

Some species of spider crabs protect themselves by resting near sea anemones Snakelock, and are apparently immune to their burns. Having settled with its back to the central stem of the anemone, the crab is almost completely hidden from view by the tentacles of the anemone hanging over it.

Sometimes spider crabs find themselves washed ashore during the surf, in ponds between rocks, but they cannot survive out of the water.

One type of spider crab feeds on plankton. It hangs from the algae, grasping it with its hind legs, and with its massive claws “sifts” the water in search of edible pieces.

There are about 42 thousand species of spiders in the world. Let's find among them the one who can rightfully be called the most big spider in the world.

So, the top 10 most big spiders in the world:

Nephila

Nephiles - these spiders stand out from the entire ten largest spiders in that they weave webs, the other 9 do not do this.

These spiders are also known as: giant tree spider, banana spider, golden weaver. There are about 30 varieties of Nephila, the size of females of this species can reach 12 cm.

There are cases of golden spiders attacking humans, but the poison of these spiders does not pose a serious danger to humans.

Tegenaria is also called the giant house spider - the span of the legs of these spiders reaches 13 cm.

These spiders are excellent at running short distances. Cannibalism is very common among them. The habitat of this type of spider is Africa and Asia, most often they can be found in caves or abandoned buildings, however, nowadays these spiders are rare.

Cerbal Arabian

The Arabian cerbal was discovered quite recently - in 2003. The maximum officially recorded paw span is 14 centimeters, however, according to some information, it can reach 20 cm. Female cerbals are larger than males.

Cerbals live in the desert dunes of Israel and Jordan. They are active only at night, like most desert inhabitants.

Brazilian wandering spider

It looks too scary, the length of the body including legs is approximately 17 cm. It is listed as one of the most poisonous in the world, their bite is life-threatening. Living in the tropics South America, spiders are so named because they do not have one habitat. The wandering spider does not knit a web, but is always in search of a victim.

The species is very interesting in that some spiders overtake their prey by jumping, while others run and develop a fairly high speed. They hunt at night and hide in secluded places during the day.

They hunt mainly insects, but can cope with reptiles and birds larger than themselves.

This is a huge spider, part of the tarantula family. The leg span of this spider is more than 30 cm. It lives in the forests of the tropics and subtropics and is a burrowing species. Color ranges from dark gray to bright brown. The predator's paws are covered with hairs.

The baboon spider is active at night and its diet includes insects and small vertebrates. It kills its prey by injecting poison. Sensing danger, it rises on its hind legs, pretends to be intimidating and knocks on the ground with its forelimbs, making sounds similar to grinding. The venom of this spider is dangerous to humans.

Colombian purple tarantula

This tarantula belongs to the tarantula family and, together with its legs, can be more than 20 cm in length (there is an officially recorded leg span of 34.05 cm). Lives in the tropics of South America.

Sometimes you can see a rather terrible sight when a spider eats birds, but there is no danger for people. Most often it feeds on insects and small spiders, but can also eat frogs and rodents. Females can live about 15 years, males only 2-3.

Phalanges, bihorci or salpugi - belong to the order of phalanges of the arachnid class. The span of the legs of these phalanges can reach 30 cm, the body length is 5-8 cm. The brownish body and limbs are covered with hairs, in front there are tentacles similar to legs

Camel spiders go hunting at night, their menu is varied: beetles, lizards, mice, chicks and many other animals. They live in the deserts of all continents except Australia.

Phalanxes are capable of running at speeds of up to 2 km/h, which is why they are also known as the Wind Scorpion. They differ in that during defense they emit an unpleasant squeak.

Brazilian salmon-pink tarantula (Lasiodora parahybana)

Found in Brazil at the beginning of the twentieth century in 1917, body length up to 10 cm, paw size up to 30 cm. People often keep it at home as an exotic pet.

Males have a small body or more long legs, and the female’s body is larger, weighing up to 100 grams. Females can live up to 15 years. For self-defense from other predators, the tarantula shakes off its allergenic hairs, but if this does not help, then it raises its front legs and prepares to attack.

The native Australian is the largest spider in the world, known as the giant crab spider due to the fact that its legs resemble those of a crab. Lives in wooden buildings and crevices.

Individuals measuring 30 cm are gray or brown in color, but some have white or red spots. The spines on the legs are clearly visible, the body is fluffy.

These spiders are called hunters because of their ability to hunt, and because high speed movements. They are excellent jumpers. To kill prey, a poison is injected that is not dangerous to humans. They feed on various invertebrates. People can only be bitten in self-defense.

Goliath tarantula

The spider is of impressive size, can reach 170 grams, its height including legs is 30 cm, belongs to the tarantula family. Lives in the tropics of South America. It builds burrows up to half a meter deep with the entrance covered with cobwebs. Females can survive up to 25 years, males - up to 6.

Goliath suddenly sneaks up and quickly pounces on its prey, poisoning it with its poisonous fangs. It feeds on frogs, small snakes, mice and birds.

The Goliath tarantula is capable of producing powerful sounds with its chelicerae, which can be heard even 5 meters away. To defend themselves, they use their bright brown hairs, which irritate the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, which the spider shakes off its body towards the enemy.

The largest spider in Russia

Eat large spiders and in Russia it is South Russian tarantulas. This spider is also known as Mizgir.

This species belongs to the wolf spider family. The size of the female of this spider reaches 3 cm, completely covered with thick gray hairs. Tarantulas dig very deep vertical burrows, feed on insects, and can bite a person, but not fatally.